Many Victorian horses have struggled to adjust to Sydney’s racing style beyond the Murray River, yet trainer Ciaron Maher believes his standout colt Observer will handle it smoothly.

The horse with two Group 1 victories is scheduled for his initial Sydney appearance in Saturday’s $1 million Rosehill Guineas (2000m).

Bred from Ghaiyyath, the colt headed north soon after triumphing in the Australian Guineas at Flemington on February 28, gearing up for his debut racing clockwise, and Maher is pleased with his adaptation.

“I wanted to get him up there early and do a couple of nice little pieces of work and he worked like a horse that has had a lot of experience up there,” Maher said from Caulfield on Tuesday morning.

“He came through his Guineas win very well. He’s travelled up, he did a nice piece of work last week that was quite impressive and this morning just cantered around on the bit.

He didn’t have to do a lot and you would think he’s only going to improve getting back up to 10 furlongs (2000m).”

The Godolphin-owned Observer, previously trained right-handed by James Cummings before moving to Maher last year, aims to be the inaugural Australian Guineas victor to secure the Rosehill Guineas.

Observer’s additional Group 1 success was in the Victoria Derby, and he seeks to follow Dulcify, Helenus, Tarzino and Riff Rocket on the Rosehill Guineas roll of honour.

Maher considered pitting Observer against older rivals in the Australian Cup (2000m) next Saturday, but opted for the Group 1 over the same trip against peers.

“He’s still got options (to take on older horses), but taking on three-year-olds at 2000 metres, it’s hard not to go there and his form this prep has been spot on,” Maher said.

“Hopefully he can add another one to his CV and add to his record.”

Observer drew gate two, right next to rival Autumn Boy, as the nine-runner Rosehill Guineas lineup was set on Wednesday morning, with Craig Williams aboard.

Explore the betting markets for the race ahead of Observer’s big Sydney test.