Two country wins has Polar Vortex ready for his first city test at Flemington.
Polar Vortex heads to Saturday’s John Calvert Handicap after back-to-back wins at Wangaratta.
Co-trainer Craig Widdison is convinced the gelding has the talent to measure up in town but said mentally it has taken a while for the son of Fastnet Rock to put it all together.
“I really like him,” Widdison said.
“We always have but he’s just been really immature and has just taken a fair bit of time.
“That’s why we went back to Wangaratta the second time just to make sure he is going the right way.
“He did everything a lot better the second time there so we’re pretty happy to give him a chance in a race like that on Saturday.”
Polar Vortex was unplaced in his only start as a juvenile at Bendigo in May and in one start at his second preparation.
The three-year-old resumed on January 4 with a maiden win at Wangaratta over 1170m, coming from back in the field, before doing likewise in a 1300m race on January 21.
Saturday’s field of three and four-year-olds includes the undefeated Pattern and the race could provide a guide to where Polar Vortex heads this campaign.
“We entered him for the Australian Guineas, just because he is a horse that is improving all the time,” Widdison said.
“If they can keep improving, you never know where they can get to.
“He probably just needs a bit of racing to keep improving mentally.”
Stablemate Star Rolling runs over 2000m in Saturday’s Doriemus Handicap and Widdison said any rain would help.
He said staying races were being considered for Star Rolling including a Listed 2500m race at Moonee Valley next month, the Roy Higgins Quality at Flemington and even the Adelaide Cup.
“We’re leaving all our options open with him,” he said.
