Another Wil is poised for his first-up run in elite-level company after impressing connections in his Cranbourne jumpout on Monday.
The Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 8 has been targeted as his autumn starting point.
The five-year-old, a three-time stakes winner, narrowly missed out on Group 1 glory in the spring, finishing second to Kimochi in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) on November 16.
“We moved him up to the 1200-metre (jumpout) to get on better ground,” explained Jack Turnbull, assistant to Ciaron Maher, to Racing.com.
“He was heat one and Celine (Gaudray) came in and rode him and he put in a nice piece of work. We’re really pleased with where he’s at.
He’ll do something on the Monday leading into that (Orr Stakes) on the bridle. (His) weight’s good and he looks good and he was a head away from being a Group 1 winner last prep, so hopefully we can hit the ground running.”
Another Wil is set for an ambitious preparation provided his form holds up into the autumn.
“He gives us every indication that he is a future Group 1 horse, but sometimes it doesn’t work out that way,” Turnbull added.
“Hopefully he remains sound and in the right head space.
“He’s one that loses weight at times, we’re mindful of that, but at this point of time he’s in a reasonable spot and hopefully that holds.”
Another Wil is currently a $6 chance for the CF Orr Stakes with horse racing bookmakers.
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