Even with a wide starting position, trainer Henry Dwyer intends to proceed as planned and have Different Gravy compete at Caulfield.
Different Gravy pulled gate 16 in the VOBIS Platinum Guineas (1600m) scheduled for Saturday, shifting inward by one if emergency Merimbula fails to secure entry.
“He needs to start somewhere and that’s been his long-term starting point, so I don’t want to change a preparation just because of a bad barrier,” Dwyer said.
The gelding Different Gravy is targeted toward the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm late in May.
Dwyer has outlined a four-start series for Different Gravy leading to the Derby—a event he claimed with Sonntag back in 2014—followed by a break in Queensland’s winter sun prior to a potential Melbourne spring return.
After this weekend’s opener, Different Gravy heads to Sydney targeting the Frank Packer Plate (2000m) at Randwick, then Brisbane for the Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben.
“We didn’t accept in the Australian Derby, we took him out on Tuesday, just because it was all coming around a bit soon,” Dwyer said.
“The mile now, then 2000 (metres) in a month’s time and a lead-up run into the Derby sounds about right.”
Foaled by Ghaiyyath, sire of Victoria Derby and Australian Guineas victor Observer, Different Gravy somewhat astonished Dwyer with his progress in the previous season.
Different Gravy progressed from a 1600m maiden success at Swan Hill to a Listed 1800m victory amid Melbourne Cup week, then captured the debut Melbourne Classic (2000m) at Caulfield to close his autumn.
“We thought he would improve over ground, but we didn’t know how much he would improve,” Dwyer said.
“It was a fair bit, and I think he’s going to improve again this time.
“We got him out to 2000 metres last prep, and I think he will eat up the 2400 metres as well this time around.
“Hopefully a winter up there and then we can think about the spring down here and see how he measures up.”
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