Tim Clark isn’t sure where the ceiling lays for progressive sprinter Axius, but he is looking forward to testing the waters when the gelding levels up to stakes company at Randwick.
The four-year-old will line up in Saturday’s Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m), his first appearance since posting an impressive win in the Magic Millions Sprint (1200m) at the Gold Coast in January with Clark in the saddle.
“He’s been a horse that has been threatening to do something like he did,” Clark said.
“He’s a big, tough, headstrong Justify gelding who really enjoyed riding the back of that good speed at the Gold Coast.
“It was a dominant performance up there and he still gets into this race with a very light weight.”
Axius will carry the 53.5kg minimum on Saturday, with the handicaps headed by seasoned sprinter Coal Crusher with 58kg.
Also among his rivals is The Instructor, who was unplaced behind him at the Gold Coast but has since been narrowly beaten at Group level in Sydney and was far from disgraced when fourth to superstar Autumn Glow in the Apollo Stakes (1400m).
Taking a line through The Instructor, Clark is hoping Axius can make his presence felt.
“He’s an interesting runner to see where he measures up,” Clark said of his mount.
“He beat The Instructor home at the Gold Coast and meets him better at the weights on Saturday.
“This race on Saturday is probably going to decide his future plans through the autumn and the winter and how high they can aim with him. But he has barely put a foot wrong during his career, and they’ve been very patient with him, so they’re getting the rewards now.”
Trained by Ciaron Maher, Axius holds Sydney autumn carnival nominations for the Group 1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) and the Doncaster Mile (1600m).
