John O’Shea believes the Magic Millions Classic is likely to come too soon for I Am Invincible youngster Tardelli, but he will be happy to be proven wrong.
A $360,000 yearling purchase, Tardelli will line up in Saturday’s James Squire Handicap (1100m) at Randwick against a small but intriguing field of rivals, headed by Capitalist juvenile Amazing Eagle, a scintillating winner of his only barrier trial in slick time.
However, Tardelli has also impressed his stable, posting a stylish trial win at the same session as Amazing Eagle, albeit going slower on the clock.
O’Shea doesn’t doubt his colt has the ability to develop into a handy horse, but he also feels Saturday will be the first step in a long learning curve.
“We really like him,” O’Shea said.
“Whether he is a genuine, pre-Christmas two-year-old I’m not sure, but I think he’s a really nice horse and we’ve always had a good opinion of him.”
Tardelli has drawn the rails and will be partnered by Tyler Schiller, who was aboard in his trial.
While the Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast in January isn’t off the table for Tardelli, O’Shea says it isn’t front of mind and the juvenile will have to force his way there.
“He’d have to win Saturday to even put it on our radar,” O’Shea said.
“But we will get a little line on him and see what happens.”
Following the scratching of Godolphin youngster Traffic Warden, who instead runs in Melbourne, Amazing Eagle is a popular $1.55 favourite with online bookmakers to make a winning debut.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Anode, who will be pitching to continue the yard’s outstanding start to the two-year-old season, is second pick at $5.50 with Tardelli ($6) the only other runner at single-figure odds.
