Tim Clark remains uncertain about the upper limits for the improving sprinter Axius, yet he anticipates gauging his potential as the gelding steps into stakes grade at Randwick.

The four-year-old is set to compete in Saturday’s Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m), marking his initial outing following a strong victory in the Magic Millions Sprint (1200m) on the Gold Coast in January, aboard with Clark.

“He’s been a horse that has been threatening to do something like he did,” Clark said.

“He’s a big, tough, headstrong Justify gelding who really enjoyed riding the back of that good speed at the Gold Coast.

“It was a dominant performance up there and he still gets into this race with a very light weight.”

Axius is allocated the 53.5kg minimum weight on Saturday, while topweight goes to veteran sprinter Coal Crusher on 58kg.

Among the opposition is The Instructor, beaten behind Axius at the Gold Coast yet recently competitive when narrowly defeated at Group level in Sydney and not discredited finishing fourth to star Autumn Glow in the Apollo Stakes (1400m).

Using The Instructor as a guide, Clark expects Axius to show his mettle.

“He’s an interesting runner to see where he measures up,” Clark said of his mount.

“He beat The Instructor home at the Gold Coast and meets him better at the weights on Saturday.

“This race on Saturday is probably going to decide his future plans through the autumn and the winter and how high they can aim with him. But he has barely put a foot wrong during his career, and they’ve been very patient with him, so they’re getting the rewards now.”

Prepared by Ciaron Maher, Axius has entries in the Sydney autumn carnival for the Group 1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) and the Doncaster Mile (1600m).

Explore the racing odds for the Liverpool City Cup among top Australian betting sites.