Trainer Clayton Douglas holds ambitions for Group 1 success in the autumn carnival featuring Top Reward, with the colt set to launch his preparation in a Stakes event at Caulfield.
The Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) this Saturday marks the comeback of the Shamus Award gelding, who competed in two outings last spring prior to a spell.
Securing victory on debut at 1500m in Mornington during October, Douglas progressed Top Reward directly into Stakes grade, where he finished third—six lengths adrift—of Sheza Alibi in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield the next month.
Douglas brought Top Reward to Caulfield on Tuesday for a workout alongside stablemate Mr Waterville ahead of his seasonal reappearance on Saturday.
Looking further ahead, Douglas targets the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick in April for Top Reward, planning a move to the 1800m Group 2 Autumn Classic at Caulfield on February 21 following this weekend’s initial outing.
“He’s a lovely colt. He’s got a lovely brain about him and he’s got nice ability,” Douglas said.
“It was good to get those couple of runs into him in the spring and he’s come back a more furnished colt now.
“We’ll probably look to step him up to 1800 metres second-up, which may be better for him, but he’s a lovely, clean-winded horse and I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes first-up.
“He could be a Derby colt, but we’ll take each run as it comes, but over the next eight to 12 weeks, there are plenty of options for him, but so long as he keeps stepping up to the mark, well keep putting it to him.”
Top Reward completed two jump-outs leading into his return, and Douglas admits the 1400m distance might prove somewhat brief for Saturday.
“He’s got good gate speed, so I wouldn’t think he would be too far away,” Douglas said.
“But there might be something that’s a bit sharper than him on Saturday but going forward he might be a horse to look out for.”
Fellow stable runner Mr Waterville holds nominations for the benchmark 84 contest over 1600m on Saturday, alongside the Colac Cup (2000m) on Friday and the Listed Premier’s Plate (2006m) at Morphettville this weekend.
Mr Waterville, an Irish-bred import previously under the care of Chris Waller upon arriving Down Under, has not yet started for Douglas.
“He trialled well here last week and to me he’s a horse that would prefer to kick off over 10 furlongs, that’s probably more suitable for him,” Douglas said.
In preparation for the upcoming jumps campaign, Douglas suggested that Mr Waterville could have a future over obstacles.
Betting enthusiasts can explore competitive odds across various Australian betting sites ahead of Top Reward’s run in the Autumn Stakes.
The post Clayton Douglas looking for a Top Reward first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
