Two of Mick Kent’s main spring carnival hopefuls step out at Moonee Valley on Saturday but the trainer is keeping his first-up expectations in check.
Pyrrolic resumes in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) while Listed winner The Huntress makes her return in the Mitchelton Wines Plate (1200m).
The duo are nominated for their respective Guineas races this spring and Kent believes the best of both horses will be seen when they get out to 1600m.
Pyrrolic won his only start in a 1200m midweek event at Sandown in May and resumes against a field of up-and-coming three-year-olds including Caulfield Guineas second favourite Cauthen.
“That’s too sharp for him on Saturday but it’s the only race I’ve really got the option to run him in,” Kent said, adding he would next head to a 1500m race in three weeks at the same track.
“He’ll go back on Saturday and as long as he hits the line I’ll be happy.”
Pyrrolic is on a path towards the Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley third-up, with that race to determine whether he heads to the Caulfield Guineas or on a Derby path.
“We’re hoping he measures up to that grade (in the Stutt Stakes) and then from there we’ve got two ways to go,” Kent said.
“Whether we head towards a Derby or whether we run in a Guineas.
“The Stutt will be sort of the fork in the road for him.”
The Huntress has shown talent in winning two of her three outings, including a Listed race at Caulfield, and was unlucky in her other start in Adelaide.
The Huntress is heading towards the Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) and by then Kent will have a good idea whether the three-year-old warrants a shot at the Thousand Guineas.
“I’m sure she wants a mile, but there’s some nice fillies around,” he said.
