Bringing a solid foundation of winning form to Flemington on Tuesday, Mister Whiskers has his trainer, Charlotte Littlefield, anticipating a strong performance with potential for even greater success down the track.

Hot off the heels of Concord Connie’s second place in Saturday’s Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes – a significant milestone for Littlefield’s compact stable – the Melbourne Cup Carnival continues. Mister Whiskers is now set to contest the One Pool Handicap over 1800 metres.

The three-year-old colt was withdrawn from the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes, run over the same distance, and will instead race over the longer trip following his maiden win over 1415m. This was followed by a victory over the mile at Caulfield on October 17.

“He would have been a forgotten horse in that race,” Littlefield commented regarding the Saturday race won by The Roaring Sun.

“My gut feel was that this race is Tuesday is a better option at the longer distance and I want to teach him to be a horse that settles as I see Derby potential in him next preparation.”

The race in focus is the ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick in April, and Littlefield is aiming high with considerable confidence.

“He performed well at his second race start and goes up in grade. Everyone was noticing that he just hung on to win that race but it was a big effort and he wasn’t conditioned to have that sustained long sprint,” she explained.

“He could have been judged harshly on that run but there is a lot more to come from him.”

Littlefield added, “If he can get some cover, we might see something different from him. I want him to be able to settle and not have to lead in a mad speed that Saturday’s race could have been.”

Star Of Macedon’s co-trainer John Symons shared a similar perspective regarding the distance, preferring the 1800m for the Zoustar colt after scratching him from the same race.

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