Trainer Tyler Donaldson-Aitken is set to achieve a personal best, preparing his first runner in a Group 1 race with Welcometotheshow.
The gelding, Welcometotheshow, is being pointed towards the Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield this Saturday. This follows his recent maiden Stakes race victory at Flemington on September 12.
To ensure fitness, Welcometotheshow participated in a trial at Caulfield Heath on Thursday, completing an easy 1000-metre gallop and finishing sixth.
“There was a Group 1 horse in there that had performed well over a shorter distance, and it was in front of us,” Donaldson-Aitken commented. “They went a bit slow early and it kicked away late, but Craig (Newitt) was happy with how he trialled.
“We wanted him to have a bit of a blow today. He hadn’t done any big pieces of work since he last raced in the Listed race at Flemington, so it was a good gallop for him.”
Donaldson-Aitken mentioned that the Toorak Handicap became a target after the gelding’s Flemington success. With a rating of 98 after that win, Welcometotheshow is expected to gain entry into the race.
“He’ll get in on the minimum, still a couple of points out of handicap, but you can’t really argue with 52 (kilos),” Donaldson-Aitken said. “We’ve always liked him. It was lucky that he was passed in as a Ready To Run horse from our draft and we were able to train him, and he’s become what he is.
“He always keeps stepping up and as you lift the bar, he keeps stepping up to it and coming to Saturday, it’s another big step up again, so we’ll see how he goes.
“He’s good over a mile, and the goal for this preparation, ultimately, is to get him out over 2000 (metres).”
Following the Toorak Handicap, Donaldson-Aitken has his sights set on the Five Diamonds Prelude at Randwick on October 24, and then the Group 3 Five Diamonds (1800m) at Randwick on November 7.
“He’s given us every indication that he will stay 2000 (metres), and Craig said he definitely will,” Donaldson-Aitken confirmed. “Once we get to 1800 then we can go to 2000 and if he can perform at that with a turn of foot, he’ll be dangerous again.”
As Welcometotheshow prepares for the Toorak Handicap, check out the latest betting sites for this major race.