Promising galloper Speediness kicks off a spring campaign at Caulfield on Saturday which is ultimately aimed at the $1 million Emirates Stakes.
The Colin Scott-trained four-year-old resumes in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) which is named after his six-time Group One-winning sire.
Scott is not sure that the trip will be far enough to allow Speediness to land his first black-type win.
“He’s fit enough. Fitness isn’t the issue, just whether they are a bit slick for him over the 1200 metres,” said Scott who believes he’ll eventually make into a 2000m horse.
“He’ll get back and be running on very strongly and I’d be very happy with that.
“I think at the moment he’s a genuinely good miler and even though he’s a four-year-old he’s still an immature horse.”
The gelding is yet to finish out of a place in six starts for two wins – a 1200m Sale maiden on debut in August last year and a 1600m three-year-old at Sandown in February.
Speediness’ best form was when Scott took him to NSW for two runs in late April-May.
He finished second to Pimpala Secret in the Listed Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) and was runner-up to subsequent Group One Stradbroke Handicap winner Sincero in the Inglis Guineas (1600m) at Scone in May.
“He’s an outstanding horse Sincero. The form around him has been exceptional and I hope it stands up with my bloke,” Scott said.
Speediness was fitted for Saturday’s race with a soft barrier trial when third over 990m at Cranbourne on Monday with race rider Craig Williams aboard.
“He’s coming along very well. He’s spot-on for where he needs to be for this preparation,” Scott said.
“He trialled beautifully, Craig was really happy with him and was really mindful that he is running on Saturday and he just coasted to the line nice and relaxed.
“Craig said to me this horse has really benefited from the trip to NSW.
“He’s got a habit of laying in in his races which strangely enough he actually did there (NSW) too, so it was something that was more in his head rather than a physical problem.
“But Craig said that certainly he went nice and straight in his trial.”
Scott said Speediness would go into the Group One Emirates (1600m) at Flemington on November 5 at his fourth run in.
But in the meantime he would have to work on getting his rating (85) up to give him a better chance of making the field.
Speediness, backed from $9 to $7.50 with TAB Sportsbet, has drawn barrier 11 in the 12-horse field.
Irish Dream is the favourite at $5 just ahead of First Command ($5.50) and Shrapnel who has firmed from $10 to $5.50, Chosen To Fly at $6.50 and Phelan Ready at $9.
The Group One-placed and Group Two winner Shrapnel, prepared by Mark Kavanagh, will be trying to make it four wins from as many second-up outings.
AAP TURF
