Reigning Golden Slipper winner Farnan took the first steps towards a big spring, picking up where he left off after an outstanding two-year-old campaign.
Farnan displayed his class by leading all the way and beating Mamaragan in a hot Friday trial, with jockey Hugh Bowman never urging the classy galloper.
The trial had plenty of star power, with Probabeel, Fierce Impact, and Kolding finishing further back.
Watch: Farnan leading all the way in a cruisy Friday trial win.
Farnan showed his trademark explosive speed out of the gates and led throughout Trial 1 this morning. Given an easy go under @HugeBowman @GaiWaterhouse1
Mamaragan was up there with him in the finish and hit the line nicely @JTRacingRwik pic.twitter.com/kIn2mPuCWX
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 13, 2020
The hit out bodes well for the three-year-old, with The Golden Rose (1400m) the first major spring target, confirmed by co-trainer Adrian Bott when speaking to RSN.
“We plan on stretching him out to the 1400m for the Golden Rose,” he said.
“He looked excellent, and that’s why he’s such a good racehorse… he’s a natural athlete with great tactical speed, and natural high cruising speed.”
Depending on how the talented son of Not A Single Doubt handles the 1400m trip in the Golden Rose, the camp may look at asking him to stretch out over further distances.
“That’ll give us a really good indication of what the steps after that should be. I wouldn’t put it past him to stretch out further, but whether we need to ask that question of him or not [remains to be seen] – he does have that natural brilliance at the shorter trips.”
“There’s particularly good options at those sprints as well. If we’re looking to go to Melbourne for the Coolmore or looking to stay up here for The Everest, they’re both good options for a horse with such natural brilliance,” Bott said.
Farnan is the $7 favourite for the Golden Rose (1400m), the $10 favourite for the Caulfield Guineas (1600m), and an $11 chance in The Everest (1200m).