Damien Oliver believes there is a good staying race victory in Castlereagh Kid who will be attempting a winning hat-trick when he runs at Caulfield.
Castlereagh Kid runs in the Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) on Saturday in his bid to follow victories at Gosford and Sandown in his two runs this campaign.
Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick in their sights for Castlereagh Lad.
But first they won’t to get the son of Snitzel to continue his winning streak.
Oliver said Castlereagh Kind does show staying promise but can be a hard ride as was evidenced in his victory over 1800m at Sandown on February 16.
After working to the lead, Oliver was forced to put the foot down prior to home turn in a bid to make that contest a true staying test.
Oliver was back aboard Castlereagh Kid for trackwork on Tuesday where blinkers were applied and, on his recommendation, the three-year-old will wear the headgear on Saturday.
The one thing that does concern Oliver on Saturday is the tighter Caulfield circuit as against the roomier Sandown Hillside track he scored on last time.
“He’s a lovely big staying horse,” Oliver said.
“He took a bit of riding at Sandown and that’s why we thought we might try the blinkers on him, and I was pleased with the way they switched him on a bit more.
“This track is probably not the ideal one for him but the fact that he can put himself up on the pace will help his cause.”
Punters believe Castlereagh Kid can extend his winning streak.
He has been supported from $3.70 into $3.50 with TAB and heads the market from El Patroness ($4.20) and Mahrez ($7.50).