Connections are eyeing the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup week as a prime objective for a talented three-year-old.

Trainer Danny O’Brien and the ownership group of Closer To Free are no different. If the colt’s form progression warrants it, the Group 1 event for three-year-olds over 1200 metres on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup carnival is their desired destination.

Closer To Free showcased exceptional ability in three starts during a brief autumn campaign as a two-year-old and is set to commence his three-year-old season in the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

“It looks the right kick-off for him,” O’Brien stated.

“He won over the course and distance in the autumn in the Blue Diamond Prelude and he’s had a good build-up over the winter. He’s had a quiet trial and then they ran a pretty quick time down the straight in his second one and he should be forward enough to run well first-up.”

Closer To Free achieved a commanding debut victory on February 7, subsequently finishing second in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield two weeks later.

The colt concluded his juvenile campaign by finishing second last in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill the following month.

“Like all these horses, you want to see where they are at with their first run or two,” O’Brien commented.

“If everything fell into place, you would love to think that he would get to the Coolmore, but he has to put his hand up to show us that he’s made that progression. The main thing is have they got the improvement in them from two to three to still be at the top level. All the signs are good. He’s a beautiful colt and done everything right and I’m looking forward to running him again.”

Closer To Free’s second trial leading into his Saturday first-up run was held over 800 metres down the straight at Flemington on August 3.

O’Brien suggested that, provided all goes smoothly, Closer To Free would participate in the Group 3 Poseidon Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on September 12, offering him vital race experience on the straight track ahead of the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

“He’s had a trial down the straight so if we decide to go down that straight track path, he’s had some experience,” O’Brien explained. “There’s a race there on Makybe Diva Stakes Day that may suit, and then he’ll have race experience before the Coolmore if we head there.”

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