Warrnambool trainer Simon Ryan is hoping new stable addition Post Impressionist can begin to repay his purchase price when he contests the Listed Pakenham Cup on Saturday.

A win in the 2500m event would deliver $180,000 to connections, going a long way toward offsetting the $225,000 they paid for the gelding shortly after his seventh-place finish in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington.

Owner Shane Morrissy purchased Post Impressionist online from the Williams–Packer ownership group, and he and Ryan now have their longer-term target set firmly on the Warrnambool Cup (2300m).

The gelding was previously trained in Australia by William Haggas—winning at Rosehill earlier in 2024—before joining Anthony and Sam Freedman.

“We’ve had a few horses together and there’s no point putting them out in the paddock for the sake of it,” Ryan said.

“Horses can get sick or injured, and this race isn’t as strong as others he has contested. Even running into the money would be a good confidence boost.”

Ryan said he has been impressed since the stayer arrived at his Warrnambool stable.

“He came from Freedman’s in great order,” he said.

“We just needed to decide whether to run him because he’s been bought for Warrnambool, but while he’s fit, we may as well try for prize money.”

Ryan noted that Saturday’s outing will likely be the last before the horse takes a short break in preparation for his autumn and Warrnambool goals.

“He had a bowl around over 2000m at Warrnambool on Saturday just to see how he was moving, and everything checked out well,” he said.

“He’s been in work a long time, so it was mainly a maintenance gallop. A heavy track is probably the only thing that would stop him running.”

Irish rider Tom Madden will pilot Post Impressionist in the Pakenham Cup.

You can compare prices for the Pakenham Cup at Australia’s top betting sites here: view bookmakers.