From the border, trainer Craig Widdison hopes racing exposure proves advantageous for Jarbardar at Caulfield.
The gelding took out his debut at Wagga a month back and now eyes the Sportsbet Feed Handicap (1100m) on Saturday.
He was also in contention for the Group 3 David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville, but Caulfield was prioritised.
“The better draw and shorter trip certainly made up our mind, but the preference was Caulfield all along,” Widdison said.
“With a two-year-old, it’s a long way to go from here in Wodonga and the barrier made the decision pretty easy for us.”
Transported from Wodonga for the Wagga bow, Jarbardar was sent off at $1.35 in a dominant market move.
The trainer found the gelding’s popularity entirely expected.
“He’s done everything right and he’s a nice type of horse and his trial at Corowa was really good beforehand,” Widdison said.
“He ran faster time than the open trial that day.
He was still very new doing it all, but the time was there and we thought he would be pretty hard to beat at Wagga.”
Having tackled right-handers twice in three public goes, Jarbardar is no stranger to left-handed paths per Widdison.
Most training at Wodonga has been left-handed, allowing him to handle both ways adeptly.
Saturday’s effort will educate further on the two-year-old, who matches top youngsters Widdison has had since basing at Wodonga in 2016.
“He shows great ability here, as much as any young horse I’ve had up here, and now he’s got to take that step to city grade,” Widdison said.
“We’ll learn a lot more about him after Saturday as there has been a fair few that have trialled well.
It’s always hard when you go down the line, but he’s exciting for us, anyway.”
Jason Lyon keeps the jockey role after the Wagga win aboard Jarbardar.
City rides are scarce for him, only 10 in five years at double-figure prices.
Nonetheless, Widdison trusts Lyon’s stable involvement and debut ride.
“Going down there, it’s nice to have someone on that knows the horse,” Widdison said.
“He can be a bit of lad, the horse, so any little help is a bonus.”
Jarbardar holds $7 second-favouritism, with Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s debutant Natural Fling leading at $2.40.
Head to the leading sports betting platforms for betting markets for the race in the Sportsbet Feed Handicap at Caulfield.
