Sterling Alexiou has stated that the team is still assessing the untapped colt Southend, with his early campaign runs set to dictate his spring racing path.
The three-year-old is scheduled to resume in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday. From an awkward barrier, gate nine in an 11-horse field, he will be ridden conservatively.
“That’s probably the only disappointing thing. If he could have drawn a decent barrier, he would have had the option to race a bit handier,” Alexiou explained.
“Just that start is a bit tricky. We’ll probably have to take our medicine, balance up, and he’ll be finding the line well.”
The colt, winner of the Baillieu (1400m) at his second start in the autumn, finished his preparation when sixth in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) in April.
Consequently, his connections were left with limited information regarding his prowess over a mile. Alexiou is hopeful that Southend’s performance on Saturday, and at his subsequent intended start in the Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m), will offer clearer indicators.
“We’re still feeling our way with him in regards to what his best distance is going to be,” he said.
“It was an end of ‘prep’ run (in the Champagne Stakes). He was up in trip, three weeks between runs and in a pretty strong race.”
“He’ll run on Saturday and then go to the Ming Dynasty, then we’ll work out if we go to a Golden Rose or a Caulfield Guineas, or a Dulcify Stakes and on to a Spring Champion Stakes.”
“We’ll know a lot more after Saturday, and a lot more after the Ming Dynasty.”
Southend has impressed Alexiou in his two trial appearances, most recently defeating the highly fancied filly Chayan.
However, he has cautioned that the colt has always been on the robust side and will improve on whatever he does first-up, though a competitive return is anticipated.
“I’m just really looking forward to getting him back to the races and seeing how much improvement he’s made,” Alexiou stated.
Betting sites in Australia offer competitive racing odds for this event.