Trainer John O’Shea is optimistic that Peyton has overcome his early career setbacks as the promising three-year-old colt prepares for his Flemington engagement on Tuesday.
The son of Zoustar, who failed to meet his $500,000 reserve at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale in 2025, was retained in ownership by breeder Rosemont Stud.
Although it took four attempts to secure his maiden victory, O’Shea and his training partner Tom Charlton have their sights set on group racing for the colt.
His racing form includes contests against notable horses of his age bracket, such as the quinella from Saturday’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, The Next Episode and St Gotthard.
Peyton will commence his third-up campaign in the Schweppervescence Plate (1000m), and O’Shea expressed his satisfaction with the colt’s return to racing.
“I had him entered last at Flemington on Cox Plate Day but he didn’t travel that well so I left him an extra week and it has done him the world of good,” O’Shea stated.
“We gave him a little tickover trial at Flemington on Friday to blow out a few cobwebs and I think he’ll run very well although it is a bit short of his best.
“It will also give him a chance to have a look up the straight.”
Peyton’s most recent outing was a fifth-place finish behind stablemate Satono Glow in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) on October 10. Prior to that, he broke his maiden at Gosford in August.
His initial preparation was not without its difficulties.
“He just kept doing a few things (wrong),” O’Shea recalled.
“He hit his head in the gate one day at Warwick Farm and missed a run and then he had a little cough so nothing was going right that prep.
“He’s a really talented horse so hopefully he can break through on Tuesday.”
For those looking to place a wager, the current racing odds suggest a competitive field, with many punters favouring the contenders in the main event on Tuesday; explore the latest betting markets for the race at Australian betting sites.