Guest House proved himself a junior champion last preparation, and this spring his objective is to demonstrate he’s far more than just an early developer.
The colt, which Mick Price described as a ‘big centre-half-forward’, will make his first appearance as a three-year-old this Saturday in the $250,000 Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill.
The imposing son of Home Affairs overwhelmed his competitors in the Golden Slipper in March, and Price indicated that further development during his break has him exceptionally well-prepared for the ambitious campaign that has been charted for him.
“He’s a bigger, stronger horse – he was 567 kilos when he won the Slipper and this morning he was 582,” Price remarked from Sandown on Saturday.
“So, he’s 15 kilos heavier than when he was as a two-year-old, which is fine.
“But that’s a big horse. I don’t want them any bigger. He’s a big centre-half-forward, that’s what he is.
“He’s an athletic horse, a good-tempered horse and a lovely colt and I’m looking forward to him running very well.”
The San Domenico Stakes will be the first of two lead-up races before the $1 million Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) on September 26 for Guest House, who will contest the $300,000 Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) prior.
Provided those initial three starts go according to plan, Price and his training partner Michael Kent Jnr intend to aim for the $20 million The Everest (1200m) on October 17, followed by the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington a fortnight later.
Guest House’s preparations for the San Domenico Stakes have included two trials. He finished fourth over 900m on August 4 and then secured a close second behind Warwoven over 850m ten days later.
“His trial with Warwoven was good, the times were good, it was a solid trial and I thought it was a pressure trial,” Price commented.
“He might be a bit vulnerable first-up over 1100, but I didn’t want him running in the Golden Rose second-up.
“He’s got to run in these colt-making races that will help his (stud) career.
“That’s what he’s got to do and that’s what we’re doing.”
Warwoven is among the 13 prospective rivals for Guest House this Saturday. Other notable entries include Golden Slipper runner-up Music Time, Magic Millions winner Unit Five, highly-touted colt Central Europe, the talented filly Blue Door, and Golden Gift victor Revengeance.
Explore the betting markets for the San Domenico Stakes at Australian betting sites.
