The Ciaron Maher stable has learned valuable lessons from Yolo’s first two starts, and they’re hoping the horse has gained some insights too.
The juvenile aims for his first victory in the Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Randwick this Saturday, after finishing a narrow third last month behind Open Secret in his Sydney debut.
Before that, Yolo raced greenly and had bad luck in the straight, finishing fourth to stablemate Cherish Me in the Geelong Diamond.
While he improved last start, he peaked late after looking like a winner halfway through the straight.
As a result, the plan is to ride him more patiently and save him for a late surge.
“He loomed and just peaked a bit late, and I think we learned a bit about him that day,” Maher’s assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said.
“We just need to ride him a little bit quieter and save him. He’s got a good turn of foot.”
With a favorable barrier draw in seven, Gerard-Dubord believes Yolo has progressed well at home.
“He has really come on from that run. He worked very well on Saturday, he’s drawn well and he will get his chance,” he said.
“The good draw is a big thing and now he’s had two runs, he is more experienced than most of them. He looks very well and I think he’ll run a good race.”
Ashley Morgan will ride Yolo, aiming for his second major win of the year after taking the $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight (1100m) aboard Private Harry.
Maher will also be represented by improving three-year-old Goodlucktome in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m), and while he’s an outsider at $34 with Aussie betting apps, Gerard-Dubord expects a strong performance.
“He has always had plenty of talent but physically, he keeps improving. He is still furnishing,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“He is a real dry tracker so that will be key.
“He’s a big price but he will run a good race. He is improving a lot, very quickly.”