One of Australia’s better juveniles from last season will wait another two weeks before making his reappearance at Moonee Valley.
Among the nominations for the Listed Norman Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday, Coleman will commence his spring campaign in the Group 1 Moir Stakes over Saturday’s course and distance on September 7.
Trainer Matt Laurie will instead trial Coleman over 800 at Cranbourne on Monday in preparation for his return.
Coleman had his first look at The Valley circuit on Tuesday morning which Laurie said was an important stepping stone to his return run which is expected to be followed by the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on September 27.
“I thought it was a good opportunity to get him up here and have a look around,” Laurie said at The Valley on Tuesday.
“The Moir has been the plan and it’s the logical race leading into the Manikato Stakes.
“The 1200 metres will suit him a lot better than 1000 metres, but it’s nice kick-off.”
Coleman won his first two starts at Caulfield before starting favourite in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes, finishing 13th, back in February.
The colt then travelled to Sydney to finish third in the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes, second in the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes and third in the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes.
Laurie said the autumn trip had relaxed Coleman who is now a mentally more mature colt.
“Last time he was a bit fierce, but that trip taught him how to do things correctly,” Laurie said.
“He’s not charging up on the bridle, like he could do in the past, he’s a bit more mature in the brain.
“I’m happy with how he’s training. He’s moving really well but there’s going to be some really sharp horses in this race and you’re hoping that he’s going to be the sort of horse that is coming at them pretty hard late.
“On paper it reads well for him with a lightweight, but it does read that there will be a few three-year-olds in there with light weights also.
“We’ll see how he goes, and he’s performed well on bigger tracks, so the concern is The Valley being what it is.
“That is why I thought it was a good idea to get him up here give him a look and he really did have a look coming around the turn and up the straight.
“I think it was a really good exercise coming here and next week at Cranbourne will top him off and then he’s got two weeks into the race.”
