With a wealth of high-quality three-year-olds in his stable, Chris Waller has decided to split his team between Melbourne and Sydney for the current season.

While Hidrix, Central Europe, and Striking Alibi will represent the stable in The Rosebud at Rosehill on Saturday, Waller has dispatched Confederation south to compete in the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

Confederation arrived in Melbourne last week and completed a jump-out at Flemington last Friday, finishing at the rear of the five-horse field.

The son of Wootton Bassett had two starts in his first campaign, chasing home his stablemate Hidrix on debut in the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill in January before running second last behind Stretan Ruler in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at the same track three weeks later.

Racing NSW stewards placed a warning on Confederation following that run, which was partly instrumental in Waller deciding to send the colt to Melbourne.

Confederation had one trial, finishing second at Rosehill last month, before heading to the trainer’s Flemington base.

“He doesn’t like the Rosehill 1100 (metres),” Waller said of the decision to send Confederation to Melbourne.

“He had a couple of runs out of the shute and he used to get a bit aggressive and run out to the left, and it cost him a couple of times.”

Waller mentioned he was still assessing his new season three-year-olds, trying to determine which of his team had made the progression from two to three.

However, the trainer has confidence Confederation will make the necessary step.

“We go by feel,” Waller stated.

“He looks like he’s come back well, and Damian Lane rode him on Friday, and he was pretty happy with him.”

While Lane partnered Confederation in the jump-out at Flemington last week, he switches to Hard Kick on Saturday.

Ben Melham will ride Confederation on Saturday.

For punters interested in Confederation’s chances in the Vain Stakes, explore the sports betting options available.