Matthew Brown is hoping the temptation to bypass the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) will pay dividends in the spring as his stable star Prix de Turn (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) ramps up towards his return.
His 28-year-old trainer sent the colt for a spell on the back of his Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) win and returned to win a jumpout at Cranbourne on Monday.
“Looking at the form around the South Australian Derby, he probably would have been right in it for sure but he’d had a bit of racing in a short amount of time,” Brown explained.
“We know he’s a nice horse … hopefully we’ve got a bright future with him anyway.
“He is no wet-tracker but he did enough to win his trial.
“That will tighten him up a little bit more and at this stage all looking well to fire him at the end of the month.
“We might squeeze another trial in him now before the end of the month.”
Brown said the son of Turn Me Loose had certainly grown into himself this preparation and was likely to kick-off in a 1600-metre contest for three-year-olds at The Valley on July 30.
“There’s a whole lot of races that will suit him,” Brown said.
“We are hoping it would be nice to win first-up and that would get his rating up and open a few more doors a little bit more.
“It’s probably not his year to have a crack at the good, good races.
“Maybe (in) 12 months’ time.”
