Chris Waller is renowned for his patient approach with horses, particularly juveniles, and he is hoping his squad of promising three-year-olds can show the benefits of it this spring.

Basquiat and Conqueror are two of the emerging young colts Waller is keen to test with both set to tackle the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

The duo is part of the champion trainer’s extensive team of untapped three-year-olds and he is looking forward to seeing which ones can stand up and be counted in the coming months.

“It’s exciting when you’ve got a handful of decent colts because they won’t all come back well,” Waller said.

“But the ones that are looked after at two should come back well, that’s how I see it, and it seems to suit our types of horses.”

Basquiat has missed a top-three finish once in four starts and that was when fifth in the Group 1 J J Atkins (1600m) in Brisbane, beaten less than a length.

Waller says the son of Snitzel has returned a stronger horse this preparation, while Conqueror is also a talent on the rise.

A debut winner in February of what subsequently proved a strong form race, Conqueror resumed with an encouraging second against older horses at Randwick earlier this month.

Conscious the colt is behind the eight ball in terms of race experience, Waller has since sent him around in a barrier trial and hopes that will be telling when he steps out in stakes grade this weekend.

“It gives them a bit of confidence,” Waller said of the additional trial.

“I just think he’s a bit behind the mature horses. That was his second start, and it just shows you they do a few little things wrong. He over-exaggerated things at one point in the straight.

“He’s come through that run nicely so he should be well suited.

“We are still working out his distance. The 1300 could be a little bit short but it’s a stepping stone towards a mile.”

A field of 11 will contest the Up And Coming Stakes, including Champagne Stakes placegetter Williamsburg and Group 2 placegetter Shalatin, who will be out to break his maiden in the feature.

The San Domenico Stakes (1100m) has also attracted a strong field of three-year-olds and will herald the seasonal return of Golden Slipper placegetter Best Of Bordeaux.