The South Australian Derby is the focus for Amazake who will take a step towards the Classic at Caulfield.
The Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) on Saturday will be the stepping stone to the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on May 2.
Joining Amazake in Saturday’s race will be Ciaron Maher-trained stablemates Dad And Dave and Awesome Artist.
National Assistant Trainer for the Maher team Jack Turnbull said Dad And Dave will also be out to prove he could be a Derby contender on Saturday while Awesome Artist may be bound for the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington on April 25.
Amazake is still a maiden after eight starts but shows considerable staying promise and is now a more mature horse than the one that stepped out in the spring.
The gelding finished third in the Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield in the lead up to finishing well back in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington, a race Turnbull conceded Amazake was not ready for.
“We gave him a crack because he ran a place in the Norman Robinson, but he was up against Observer at that stage who was a cut above,” Turnbull said.
“Time has been his friend and he’s a fuller horse now and more mature.
“I think he’ll be fine now, so we’ll give him his chance, so he’ll run on Saturday and then onto the Derby in South Australia.
“He’s still a maiden, which you wouldn’t believe, but he’s won good prize money and has been running in good form races and only getting beaten a couple of lengths, with excuses.
“He’s in good shape.”
Amazake and Dad And Dave come through the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on March 21, finishing fourth and ninth respectively.
Dad ‘N’ Dave campaigned in Tasmania during summer and won the Tasmanian Derby (2200m) in February.
“If he doesn’t run to form, we’ll probably turn him out,” Turnbull said.
“He’s done the whole Tasmania thing, and he would want to show us that he warrants a trip for the Derby.
“Awesome Artist is down here after winning last time and maybe heading to the St Leger.”
