The Ciaron Maher stable has gathered valuable insights from Yolo’s first two race starts, and they are hopeful the young colt has learned from them as well.
The two-year-old will be aiming for his maiden victory in Saturday’s Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Randwick after finishing just under three-quarters of a length behind one of his weekend rivals, Open Secret, during his Sydney debut last month.
Before that, he displayed greenness and encountered some bad luck in the straight, finishing fourth behind stablemate Cherish Me in the Geelong Diamond.
While Yolo demonstrated improved racing manners last start, he appeared to tire slightly in the final 50m after looking like the likely winner halfway up the straight.
As a result, the plan is to adopt a more patient riding approach, allowing him to finish with a late burst.
“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.”
A favorable barrier draw in gate seven is expected to work in his favor, and Gerard-Dubord has seen continued improvement from Yolo in training.
“He has really come on from that run. He worked very well on Saturday, he’s drawn well and he will get his chance,” Gerard-Dubord 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 be in the saddle for Yolo, aiming for his second major feature win of the year after steering Private Harry to victory in the $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight (1100m) at the Sunshine Coast last month.
Meanwhile, Maher will also be represented by the promising three-year-old Goodlucktome in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m). Although currently considered an outsider at $34 with Aussie betting apps, Gerard-Dubord remains optimistic about his chances.
“He has always had plenty of talent but physically, he keeps improving. He is still furnishing,” he 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.”
