Guest House proved himself a juvenile star last preparation, and this spring his objective is to demonstrate he is far more than just an early developer.
The colt, whom Mick Price described as a ‘big centre-half-forward’, is set to make his first start as a three-year-old this Saturday in the $250,000 Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill.
This imposing son of Home Affairs thoroughly defeated his rivals in the Golden Slipper in March, and Price suggested that further development during his break has him exceptionally well-equipped for the ambitious campaign that has been laid out for him.
“He’s a bigger, stronger horse – he was 567 kilos when he won the Slipper and this morning he was 582,” Price stated from Sandown on Saturday.
“So, he’s 15 kilos heavier than when he was as a two-year-old, which is fine.
“But that’s a big horse. I don’t want them any bigger. He’s a big centre-half-forward, that’s what he is.
“He’s an athletic horse, a good-tempered horse and a lovely colt and I’m looking forward to him running very well.”
The San Domenico Stakes will serve as the first of two lead-up races for Guest House ahead of the $1 million Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) on September 26. He will also contest the $300,000 Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) in between.
Provided those three starts proceed as planned, Price and his training partner Michael Kent Jnr intend to aim for the $20 million The Everest (1200m) on October 17, followed by the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington a fortnight later.
Guest House’s preparations for the San Domenico Stakes have included two trials. He finished fourth over 900m on August 4 before securing a narrow second place to Warwoven over 850m ten days later.
“His trial with Warwoven was good, the times were good, it was a solid trial and I thought it was a pressure trial,” Price commented.
“He might be a bit vulnerable first-up over 1100, but I didn’t want him running in the Golden Rose second-up.
“He’s got to run in these colt-making races that will help his (stud) career.
“That’s what he’s got to do and that’s what we’re doing.”
Warwoven is among the 13 potential rivals for Guest House this Saturday. The field also includes Golden Slipper placegetter Music Time, Magic Millions winner Unit Five, promising colt Central Europe, classy filly Blue Door, and Golden Gift winner Revengeance.
Check out the racing odds for the San Domenico Stakes at your preferred sports betting platforms.