He is named after one of the three ideals of the Olympic motto but the short-term goal for blueblood Altius will be much more modest.
The colt will make his debut for new trainer Chris Waller in the De Bortoli Wines Hcp (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday as a springboard to some of the nicer spring races.
Altius is by Redoute’s Choice out of outstanding producer Circles Of Gold, the dam of multiple Group One winners Elvstroem and Haradasun.
Previously prepared in Melbourne by Tony Vasil, who has trained many of Circles Of Gold’s progeny for owner Frank Tagg, Altius appears to have his share of the family’s ability.
From just six starts he has posted two wins and two placings, including a second to Hollowlea in the Listed Henry Bucks Stakes (1400m) at Flemington in September.
“Obviously he’s a talented horse,” Waller said.
“He has had throat surgery so for that reason he’s not fully wound up yet but we’d like to think we can be running him in some better races in the spring, but there is still a long way to go.”
Altius has not raced since finishing eighth to Retrieve in the Group Three Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield in October.
He won a recent barrier trial and will have Nash Rawiller aboard on Saturday.
Rawiller was the regular rider of Elvstroem who he partnered to six of his 10 wins including the 2004 Caulfield Cup and 2005 Dubai Duty Free.
Altius’ name comes from the middle word of the Olympic motto – citius, altius, fortius – a Latin expression meaning faster, higher, stronger.
It continues the Olympic theme Tagg has followed in naming the progeny of Circles Of Gold whose dam is Olympic Aim.
Waller, a runaway leader of the Sydney trainers’ premiership, is rapt to have been entrusted with the colt.
“It’s his first start for the stable, he’s a nice horse and it’s a privilege to be training the horse for obviously very successful owners,” Waller said.
“The horse has come to me in good shape and we’ve still got plenty of horse to work with so I’m appreciative of what Tony (Vasil) has done.
“His class will take him a long way on Saturday but whatever he does on Saturday he will improve immensely from.”
Altius will be one of two runners in the race for Waller along with the lightly-raced Studious.
AAP TURF
