Heading to Caulfield for a between-races gallop exhibition has smoothed the edges of Tentyris as he nears his return in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington.
The three-year-old colt, prepared by Anthony and Sam Freedman, is readying for two starts ahead of a possible international campaign including Royal Ascot mid-season.
The Lightning Stakes (1000m) scheduled for Saturday will probably be chased by the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington March 7.
Last time out, Tentyris triumphed in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 1, then was pulled up at the gates for the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) a week on.
In his Saturday workout, the colt steered clear of blistering times, though Sam Freedman emphasized the value of the full race-meeting immersion for Tentyris.
“He’s been on track for an hour-and-twenty, he had a play around, a sweat, he’s been stimulated,” Freedman said.
“It’s been a big day for him and that will bring on his fitness as much as anything else, and he will go back to Flemington that little bit more relaxed I would imagine.
“We took him for a couple of race day gallops last preparation, and it seemed to work well enough and hopefully it will take the edge off him for next week.”
Freedman revealed that Godolphin discussions have finalized just the Lightning Stakes and Newmarket Handicap for the colt’s immediate plans.
“The first two runs are pencilled in and then it’s up in the air,” Freedman said.
“He’s got to come back in the Lightning and run very well, and if he was to win the Lightning, we would have to see what weight he gets in the Newmarket.
“There have been conversations around overseas, but it’s all form dependant, how the horse is going, what’s best for him.
“There’s been no chat about a premature retirement or anything like that.
“If the horse is in form there is every chance he will race on into his four-year-old year, so there’s is the chance of travel then if he is going well.”
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The post Caulfield gallop takes edge off Tentyris first appeared on Just Horse Racing.