The BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm will prove pivotal for promising colt Gallo Nero as he tackles the 1400m trip for the first time in his young career, with his performance likely to determine whether he pushes on to the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) next month or is spelled in preparation for a spring return.
“His next run will determine whether he goes to the J J or whether he goes to the paddock and gets ready for the latter part of the spring,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said.
“He has never been over 1400 before and we’re mindful of that. He’s a good colt. He has got a very good race in him. We have set him for the Sires’ and he is going really well.”
A winner at Randwick over 1100m in December, Gallo Nero showed his class when finishing third in the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) behind O’Ole before being freshened for a winter assault in Queensland.
He resumed with a gutsy second to Cool Archie in the Spirit Of Boom Classic (1200m), overcoming a wide run throughout to nearly snatch victory.
“He won the race as far as we’re concerned but unfortunately just doesn’t get the kudos,” Hawkes said. “He was no closer than three and four wide the whole way and the other horse just sliced and diced through and got the rails run.”
“That’s the difference with barriers. When you draw a bad barrier, you just have to go back. Had he drawn a decent barrier he would have been two or three pairs closer. His run was enormous.”
Despite concerns about the toll the heavy track might have taken, Hawkes reported that Gallo Nero had recovered well and was in good shape heading into Saturday’s assignment.
“It was a hard run first-up and on a wet track,” he said. “It does take a bit out of them, but he has bounced back well so I’m looking forward to the race on Saturday.”
Tyler Schiller takes the reins from barrier eight in a full field of 18 plus three emergencies.