Kerrin McEvoy will put star colt Sepoy through his paces on Monday before eyeing feature race success with two of his stablemates at Caulfield.
McEvoy will ride at Caulfield on Saturday where dual Group One winner Helmet lines up in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude while consistent sprinter Pinwheel aims for a breakthrough Group One success in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
Golden Slipper winner Sepoy will trial at Cranbourne on Monday ahead of his first assignment against older horses in the Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) on September 30.
“I’m heading down tonight and looking forward to riding him tomorrow,” McEvoy said from Warwick Farm.
Darley’s stable jockey said the decision whether to keep blinkers on Helmet in the Group Three Guineas Prelude (1400m) had yet to be finalised.
Helmet wore blinkers for the first time in the Group One Golden Rose last start but the colt missed the start and didn’t appreciate the slow tempo thereafter when third to Manawanui and Smart Missile.
“He pulled up well and Pete (Snowden) is happy with him, the decision still needs to be made if we go with blinkers again on Saturday,” McEvoy said.
“It was hard to get a guide on them (blinkers) because of the slow tempo last start.
“We are none the wiser because of that. Sometimes blinkers can make horses miss the start and that will be taken into consideration.”
The first three from the Golden Rose are expected to all run in different races on Saturday before they meet again in the Caulfield Guineas two weeks later.
Smart Missile is likely to line up in the Rupert Clarke against older horses while Golden Rose winner Manawanui continues his Guineas preparation in the Group Two Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.
McEvoy is looking for Helmet to show what he’s capable of on Saturday ahead of the Guineas.
“He needs to begin well,” McEvoy said.
“He’s a horse that can enjoy a nice tempo, the farcically run race didn’t suit him the other day.
“We want to see him beginning well and getting into a forward spot.”
Pinwheel flew home for fourth in the Group Two Sebring Sprint (1300m) last start and McEvoy is looking forward to the Rupert Clarke (1400m).
“He’s been running great, he got back the other day and steamed home with 59 kilos on his back,” he said.
“The 1400 metres around Caulfield is going to suit him well I reckon.”
