Maiden galloper Vatican is still pushing towards the Caulfield Guineas with the Group Three McNeil Stakes planned as his next stepping stone.
Trainer Byron Cozamanis said the son of 2005 Caulfield Guineas winner God’s Own was blessed with ability and Saturday’s Caulfield sprint would give a better guide on his spring prospects.
“He’s a progressive horse with a lot of ability but we have just got to teach him to settle a bit,” Cozamanis said.
“We are going for the Guineas, but if not he will be freshened up for the sprints.”
Vatican was an $80,000 yearling and is out of Our Sistine, a 1000-metre winner who was a half sister to former New Zealand Racehorse of the Year and three-time Group One winner King’s Chapel.
Vatican’s best of four runs as a two-year-old was a second to Atomic in the Listed Chairman’s Stakes at Sandown in February but Cozamanis said he was getting better with every run.
Two starts ago he was only beaten a half length when fifth to Golden Archer in the Listed Streets Ice-Cream Stakes at Flemington before a spell.
The Listed Vain Stakes won by Sepoy at Caulfield was his comeback run but Cozamanis was disappointed he again refused to settle and couldn’t get cover in the race.
“He had to face the breeze and was taking on Sepoy so it was a big job,” Cozamanis said.
“He was a little bit fat but he pulled up well and this week we miss Sepoy so that helps.
“All we need is for him sit off the pace a bit instead of leading all the time.
“He is a tough horse so I am sure once we teach him to settle he will make the grade.”
AAP TURF
