Gerald Ryan will use the Frank Packer Plate at Randwick to test the stamina reserves of Matias, but he has good reason to believe the three-year-old will run at least a middle-distance journey.
The winner of the Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm in December, Matias will extend beyond that trip for the first time in Saturday’s 2000m contest.
By Snitzel, who is better known for producing sprinters but has left the likes of 2013 Cox Plate winner Shamus Award, Matias is out of Never Listen and it is his dam’s influence that interests Ryan.
“His first three dams have either won or been placed in an Oaks,” Ryan said.
“Never Listen is by Trusting and she ran second in a VRC Oaks. Rose O’ War is by Danehill, she ran second in a VRC Oaks and second in a Wakeful (Stakes). His third dam, Savana City, won an AJC Oaks.”
Ryan and co-trainer Sterling Alexiou have designs on a winter carnival program in Queensland for Matias, but which races they target will hinge on his performance at Randwick.
The Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm on May 2 looms if he doesn’t see out a strong 2000m, otherwise, he will press on to the Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben on May 16 and potentially the Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm a fortnight later.
“We’ll go to the Frank Packer Plate and that will decide if we keep going to the Rough Habit Plate,” Ryan said.
“If he doesn’t look as though he’ll get further than 2000 metres, then we’ll bring him back to the Queensland Guineas.”
As for Saturday, Ryan expected a bold performance and felt Matias was unlucky not to get the verdict in the Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) last time when he had to make his run along the inside in the straight.
“If he’d been able to come around the leaders’ heels last start instead of going back inside, I reckon he nearly wins the race,” he said.
“He’s done terrific. His coat has come through, and he looks bright and well.”
