Gerald Ryan plans to utilise the Frank Packer Plate at Randwick to gauge the endurance capabilities of Matias, though he possesses solid grounds for confidence that the three-year-old can handle a middle-distance effort at minimum.
Having claimed victory in the Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm back in December, Matias steps up past that distance for the initial occasion in the upcoming 2000m feature on Saturday.
Sired by Snitzel, a stallion typically associated with speedsters yet responsible for standouts like the 2013 Cox Plate victor Shamus Award, Matias hails from Never Listen, with Ryan captivated by the pedigree on his dam’s side.
“His first three dams have either won or been placed in an Oaks,” Ryan said.
“Never Listen is by Trusting and she ran second in a VRC Oaks. Rose O’ War is by Danehill, she ran second in a VRC Oaks and second in a Wakeful (Stakes). His third dam, Savana City, won an AJC Oaks.”
Ryan, alongside co-trainer Sterling Alexiou, envisions a Queensland winter carnival campaign for Matias, though the specific targets depend on how he fares at Randwick.
The Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm scheduled for May 2 emerges as an option should he falter over the strong 2000m, but success could propel him towards the Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben on May 16 and possibly the Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm two weeks subsequently.
“We’ll go to the Frank Packer Plate and that will decide if we keep going to the Rough Habit Plate,” Ryan said.
“If he doesn’t look as though he’ll get further than 2000 metres, then we’ll bring him back to the Queensland Guineas.”
Regarding the weekend, Ryan anticipates a strong showing and believes Matias was unfortunate to miss out in the Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) on his previous outing, where he was forced to navigate the inside rail during the straight.
“If he’d been able to come around the leaders’ heels last start instead of going back inside, I reckon he nearly wins the race,” he said.
“He’s done terrific. His coat has come through, and he looks bright and well.”
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