Highly promising colt Rosberg is set to test himself down the famous Flemington straight as part of his preparation for upcoming spring assignments.

The Clinton McDonald-trained three-year-old announced himself with a debut victory in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 6 and will now head to the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on October 4, before tackling the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on November 1.

Traditionally, the Victoria Racing Club has scheduled a dedicated three-year-old jump-out down the straight closer to the Coolmore, but this year the session was brought forward to align with the two-year-old trials. VRC’s Leigh Jordan said the move came after feedback from both Flemington-based and external trainers. “There was feedback, not just from outside trainers, but from internal trainers as well, who felt the trial would be better this week,” Jordan said.

McDonald welcomed the change and stressed how important the hit-out would be. “It will be good for the horse and the punters to see him down the straight before he goes there,” he said. “It’s important, not just for him, but every horse. It’s big prize money on offer and there is a lot of money invested on the punt.”

The trainer gave Rosberg a gallop at Caulfield midweek to keep him ticking over. “He’s a colt that doesn’t leave anything in the feed bin, carries good condition and we just need to stay on top of him. The more we do with him, especially one like him that is so laid-back, the better he’ll be,” McDonald said.

While Rosberg holds nominations for the Group 1 Golden Rose and Group 1 Caulfield Guineas, McDonald confirmed he will stick to the original plan of the Danehill into the Coolmore. “He was probably one run too short for those, so we’ll just stick with the plan that we’ve got,” he said.