While many of his spring opponents are still in the spelling paddock, Sebring Sun is well advanced ahead of his imminent return.
The Group One-placed colt won a barrier trial on Friday in preparation for Saturday’s Listed Canterbury Classic at Randwick.
The 1200m-sprint will be Sebring Sun’s lead-in to the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast two weeks later.
“I was happy with the trial,” trainer Gary Portelli said.
“He jumped in front and Brenton (Avdulla) eased him back and he was strong again on the line.
“He goes to the Canterbury Stakes which fits in perfectly with the Guineas two weeks later.”
Sebring Sun’s two wins have been over 1200 metres with his only start at 1400 resulting in third place in the Group One Golden Rose behind Exosphere and Speak Fondly.
He had his worst result when 10th of 12 in the Coolmore Stud Stakes down the Flemington straight at the end of October.
Portelli will decide on Sebring Sun’s autumn targets after the Magic Millions.
But the trainer already has a firm idea of where Group One-winning stablemate Rebel Dane will be going.
“He had his first gallop on Saturday morning and I was very pleased,” he said.
“The plan is the Group Two Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley then three weeks into the Group One Orr Stakes and another two weeks to the Futurity.
After the Futurity we will work it out from there whether he goes to the TJ Smith and continues to Brisbane.”
The winner of the 2013 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, Rebel Dane had a mixed couple of years and underwent throat surgery earlier this year.
The operation worked well and his three spring starts yielded a first-up win in the Group Two Shorts, second to Terravista in the Premiere Stakes and third in the Group One Manikato Stakes won by Chautauqua.
