While there were conversations about Tentyris possibly lining up in the $20 million The Everest, trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman and the Godolphin team have remained focused on their original plan — the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Known as the premier stallion-making race for three-year-old sprinters, the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 1 has long been Tentyris’ grand final. Instead of tackling The Everest (1200m) at Randwick this weekend, the colt will run in the Listed Gothic Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield — a key stepping stone towards his major spring target.
“His Grand Final is the Coolmore,” Sam Freedman said.
“We’ve left the opportunity there to back up into the Champions Sprint on the last day of Cup week should his form warrant to do that.
“There had been discussions around The Everest, but it was felt we would save him for the older horses on the last day rather than before his Grand Final.”
A brilliant juvenile, Tentyris claimed the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in March before a stress fracture forced him out of the Golden Slipper.
“He had a stress fracture behind,” Freedman said. “They’re not uncommon. It would have been nicer if it was after the Slipper than after the Todman.
“He did all his rehab and everything and there’s been no need to do anything different. He’s moving well and ready to go.”
The colt resumed from his setback earlier this month when finishing third to McGaw in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) at Flemington. Freedman said Tentyris has taken great improvement from that run and should be sharper this weekend.
“He’s improving into his prep,” Freedman said.
“He’s probably not fully screwed down but he’s more forward than what he was for the Danehill.
“I thought the Danehill was a good run. He needed it. The last 50 metres, he was feeling the pinch.
“He’d had a long lay-off, he had two trials, and he should improve into this weekend and then he should improve again in a fortnight.”
Punters looking to back Tentyris in the Gothic Stakes or futures markets for the Coolmore Stud Stakes can find the best odds and offers through Australia’s top betting sites, among Google’s most searched platforms for spring racing markets and promotions.