Untapped colt Gatsby’s will be the first of Chris Waller’s high-profile three-year-olds to kick off their season and the champion trainer is expecting him to stamp his class.
The son of Snitzel will resume in The Rosebud (1100m) on Saturday after underlining his promise at his initial campaign, scoring an impressive debut win at Canterbury before finishing fourth to Dublin Down in the Pago Pago Stakes (1200m).
Gatsby’s is held in high regard by Waller, who ranks him among the better three-year-olds in his stable.
“It all came a bit too soon for him in the autumn, but he’s had a decent break and come back really well,” Waller said.
“He is one of our better three-year-olds for sure.”
Gatsby’s will be kept to shorter distances this preparation, although whether that is in Sydney or Melbourne remains up for discussion.
Next month’s Group 2 The Run To The Rose (1200m) is a possibility, although Waller is also open to taking him south.
“That would be the logical step if he stays in New South Wales,” he said.
“He looks like a sprinter. He is solid and strong.”
A field of eight has been accepted for the Listed Rosehill sprint with Gatsby’s, to be ridden by James McDonald, drawing the outside.
Waller is also looking forward to the returns of Francesco Guardi and Hinged in the Precise Air Handicap (1400m) as they bid to lay early campaign markers.
The former is on a mission to revive his best form having spent 10 months on the sidelines following an electric win in the 2022 Moonee Valley Cup then finishing out of the placings in four runs last spring.
Now a seven-year-old, Francesco Guardi was a handy third to Saturday’s rival Tom Kitten in his most recent trial and holds nominations for both the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Cox Plate (2040m).
Hinged also returns for another campaign with connections deciding against retiring her to the broodmare barn in the hope she can secure another Group 1 win.
“We thought about it, but no, we’re happy to push on at this stage,” Waller said of the decision not to send the six-year-old to stud.
“She has run in the top four in Group One races about eight times. She’s a bit older now, but she’s not far off them.”