Charles, who is In charge of the Melbourne operation for Godolphin’s Australian trainer James Cummings, said the performance of Esperance in Wednesday’s Sheamus Mills Bloodstock Handicap would give the stable a better indication where the three-year-old is placed.
Esperance scored an impressive eight-length win in maiden grade at Echuca last month, giving Cummings his first Victorian winner since he took over early in July.
The gelding has been installed the $1.40 favourite to remain unbeaten and such is the hype surrounding him, he is an $11 equal second pick behind $7 favourite Royal Symphony for the Caulfield Guineas on October 14.
Some form students have rated Esperance’s Echuca victory as the highest individual performance by a two-year-old last season.
Charles is hoping they are right, but wants to see him repeat the performance.
He is being realistic, saying lining up an Echuca maiden win against a Golden Slipper victory is a huge step.
“He hasn’t gone backwards,” Charles said.
“It’s a step up in grade from an Echuca maiden to a midweek race at Sandown and I guess we’ll find how good he is in about 1 minute ten (seconds), or one minute 11.
“It might be a long one minute 11 to see where he’s at.”
Esperance will be the first ride back from holiday for Craig Williams, who will be chasing a seventh jockeys’ title this season.
Williams beat apprentice Beau Mertens to claim the premiership and took a break after riding Shamport to victory at Caulfield on July 29, a meeting cut short because of strong winds.
It will be a quiet return for Williams who is also booked for Wassergeist in the Chief’s Hat Maiden Plate and emergency Dancing Hare in the Win A Car At Highways Handicap.
Williams is the $1.60 favourite to win the 2017/18 premiership ahead of Dwayne Dunn and Damian Lane at $6.50.
Credit: AAP