An encouraging introduction to Melbourne racing from Disposition has trainer Wez Hunter excited about his prospects in the Group One Australian Guineas.
The former Perth-based three-year-old was sent to Hunter early this year by prominent owner Bob Peters.
He made an eye-catching eastern states debut when second, beaten a short neck by Wandjina in the CS Hayes Stakes.
He meets the Gai Waterhouse-trained colt 2.5kg better at set weights in the Australian Guineas and Hunter believes the gelding has come on nicely from his first start for his stable.
“I thought his run first-up for us was good and I expect him to take good benefit from it,” Hunter said.
“You’d expect him to be highly competitive against everything he met that day at level weights on Saturday, it’s just the Kermadec factor I suppose.”
Disposition was at $6 on Monday for the 1600m race with the Chris Waller-trained Kermadec the $3.80 favourite.
Alpine Eagle, who won the Group Two Autumn Stakes (1800m) on Saturday, has firmed to $5 with a final decision yet to be made whether he backs up.
Kermadec, winner of the Group Three Carbine Club Stakes over the Guineas course and distance in the spring, has had his two starts this campaign in Sydney and caught the eye with a fast-finishing third in a highly competitive Hobartville Stakes last month.
Disposition has not finished worse than second in his seven starts.
He won four of six starts in the west for trainer Grant Williams and was second in the WA Guineas before a close second to the Waller-trained Moriarty at weight-for-age in the Group One Kingston Town Stakes in December.
WA Guineas winner Rommel, winner of Saturday’s Zeditave Stakes, is also set to run in the Guineas.
Hunter said the talented Disposition was a real racehorse and very tough.
“He wouldn’t win any beauty contests but he’s just got a big motor,” he said.
Disposition will be ridden by Craig Williams who will be out to win the Guineas for the second straight year after his victory on Shamus Award 12 months ago.
Williams also won on star filly Miss Finland in 2007.
