Trainer Chris Waller is counting on Steel Will to mirror the success of his sibling as the three-year-old colt prepares for his maiden start in Melbourne at Flemington.
Having won his last two races, Steel Will is set to participate in the Group 3 Poseidon Stakes over 1100 metres on Saturday.
Steel Will’s older half-sister, September Run, also journeyed to Melbourne as a three-year-old and displayed remarkable speed down the Flemington straight.
September Run achieved victory in the Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m) at Flemington, a race held on Saturday, before going on to win the Poseidon Stakes and subsequently the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
A change in the racing program means the Poseidon Stakes will now be run on a different date than the Group 2 Danehill Stakes, also at Flemington, which this year is scheduled for October 3.
September Run was more precocious as a two-year-old, winning at Canterbury and Doomben, while Steel Will managed one placing from two starts in his juvenile year.
Following a first-up defeat to commence her three-year-old campaign, September Run arrived in Melbourne after that loss to begin her winning streak.
However, Steel Will has recorded wins at Wyong and Rosehill to kick off his three-year-old year, and Waller is keen to understand his standing among the stable’s emerging sprinters.
“We’re not sure (where he lays) and that’s why we want to run him and see where he does fit in,” Waller stated.
“Sentimentally there is a little bit in our favour. He’s a half-brother to September Run and this is when she found he great form when she won in a similar type of race at the same time.
“He’s done everything right in Sydney and we just want to see how he performs down the straight and then he can maybe go on to a Danehill and hopefully the Coolmore.
“But they are big steps though.”
Steel Will has drawn barrier nine in the ten-horse field and will be ridden by Ben Melham.
With the Poseidon Stakes shaping up to be a competitive race, consider checking out the Australian betting sites for the best racing odds.
