Brad Widdup is quietly confident about Nashville Jack’s potential but says the colt must produce on race day to justify a spring carnival campaign.

The son of Farnan resumes in Saturday’s Keenland September Yearling Sale Handicap (1100m) at Randwick, and a strong showing could set him on a path to stakes races in the coming months.

“You can only hope they return as well as they went out, but you never truly know until they race,” Widdup said. “Hopefully he can confirm our opinion of him.”

Nashville Jack displayed talent in his initial campaign, finishing fourth to Beiwacht in the Silver Slipper (1100m) and fifth behind King Of Pop in the Black Opal Stakes (1200m). Widdup said the Black Opal run was particularly meritorious given the colt’s shoe shifted during the race.

“He did a fantastic job to finish so close after that,” Widdup said.

The colt has since impressed in two lead-up trial wins, and Widdup says he has matured into a powerful three-year-old prospect.

“He’s big, strong and very straightforward. He’s still learning but he’s a very athletic type,” Widdup said. “There’s definite improvement to come.”

Drawn ideally in barrier two with Jason Collett aboard, Nashville Jack will face stiff opposition, including Pierro Plate winner Shaggy and promising filly Nazwah. Those looking to back him can check the latest markets via leading betting sites.