Robbie Griffiths believes Rey Magnerio has flourished during his first interstate venture, giving the trainer confidence ahead of Saturday’s Group 1 assignment.

The gelding takes his place in the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot as Griffiths looks to add to his sole Group 1 triumph.

That breakthrough came when The Quarterback stormed home to win the 2016 Newmarket Handicap (1200m), and Griffiths is optimistic Rey Magnerio can match his stablemate’s feat.

This preparation has been designed with Perth in mind, with Griffiths deliberately giving Rey Magnerio a light Melbourne spring to save his best for the West.

His biggest question mark was whether the sprinter would cope with the long-haul travel out of Cranbourne.

Although he has nine wins from 24 career starts, his longest previous road trip had only been to Echuca for April’s The Discovery.

The trip to Perth required him to travel by float to Sydney before flying across the country.

“He went on the road to Sydney, he travelled fantastic and his first flight on a plane, he travelled well without a hitch,” Griffiths said.

“He settled in over there without a worry and has been loving the warm weather.

“His appetite has been fantastic. He had a good gallop on the course proper last Saturday and did some light work on Tuesday.”

Griffiths travelled to Perth on Thursday while leaving Rey Magnerio under the care of trusted right-hand man Reid Balfour, whose feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

“It’s all about keeping him in the right frame of mind,” Griffiths said.

“He had a searching gallop before he got on the plane, he’s had a couple of runs back, a gallop over there, so I don’t think we can have him any better.

“Touch wood, everything looks good and fingers crossed it turns out that way.”

Champion WA rider William Pike has been booked for the ride in the Winterbottom.

If you’re betting on the Winterbottom Stakes, be sure to compare markets at the top Australian betting sites.