Pakenham trainer Michael Huglin will gain some invaluable insight when lightly raced Kentucky Casanova races at Flemington.
The two-time winner from three starts runs in the Darren Gauci Trophy (1200m) on Saturday and will be Huglin’s first runner down the famous Flemington straight.
The race will also give the trainer some more information about Kentucky Casanova who he says has been a steady work in progress.
Now a four-year-old, Kentucky Casanova did not begin racing until late in his three-year-old season, recording a debut win at Swan Hill in June.
Kentucky Casanova followed that up by running third behind Crestani, who steps out in the Listed Kensington Stakes on Saturday, at Sandown at his next start before taking a break and returning with a win at Sandown on November 24.
Huglin said Kentucky Casanova needed time to fill his big frame which was the reason for his delayed start to his racing career.
“The physical development between last preparation and this time has been massive,” Huglin told RSN.
“He’s a lovely horse and is improving out of sight with each run.”
Huglin said drawing gate 20, next to the Patrick Payne-trained, and undefeated Sixbysixtythree, was a good draw and he expects his charged to be in the first third of the field.
“I’ve never had a runner down the straight before, so it’s a watch learn, but on his work and the way he presents, it shouldn’t be an issue and I think he’ll be very competitive,” Huglin said.
“I think he’s drawn well. He’s improved, the 1200 (metres) is good for him at the moment while he’s still learning his race craft and learning to relax a bit.
“His work has been really good since his last start although we haven’t done a lot with him.
“He’s a nice big raw horse and on what we’ve seen, he’s going to be competitive in it.”
