Trainer Chris Waller is anticipating Steel Will will emulate his sibling’s success as the three-year-old colt prepares for his Melbourne debut at Flemington.
Having secured victories in his last two starts, Steel Will is set to compete in the Group 3 Poseidon Stakes over 1100 metres on Saturday.
Steel Will’s older half-sister, September Run, also made her way to Melbourne as a three-year-old and demonstrated impressive speed down the Flemington straight.
September Run triumphed in the Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m) at Flemington, a race also held on Saturday, before claiming the Poseidon Stakes and subsequently the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
A shift in the racing calendar means the Poseidon Stakes will swap dates with the Group 2 Danehill Stakes, also at Flemington, which this year is scheduled for October 3.
September Run displayed precocity as a two-year-old, winning races at Canterbury and Doomben, while Steel Will managed one placing from two starts in his juvenile year.
After being unplaced first-up to commence her three-year-old season, September Run arrived in Melbourne following that defeat to embark on her winning streak.
In contrast, Steel Will has recorded wins at Wyong and Rosehill to begin his three-year-old campaign, and Waller is keen to gauge his standing amongst the stable’s emerging sprinters.
“We’re not sure (where he lays) and that’s why we want to run him and see where he does fit in,” Waller said.
“Sentimentally there is a little bit in our favour. He’s a half-brother to September Run and this is when she found he great form when she won in a similar type of race at the same time.
“He’s done everything right in Sydney and we just want to see how he performs down the straight and then he can maybe go on to a Danehill and hopefully the Coolmore.
“But they are big steps though.”
Steel Will has drawn barrier nine in the ten-horse field and will be partnered by jockey Ben Melham.
For those keen on the action, the Poseidon Stakes presents an exciting opportunity to explore the Australian betting sites for competitive racing odds.
