Time and distance will help The Prospect but trainer Nacim Dilmi reckons he’s picked the right kick off point for his aptly named galloper at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
Dilmi had The Prospect in a race at Hawkesbury on Thursday but suspected the 1100m affair would be too short.
He has elected to start his unraced son of Trapeze Artist in the Peter McGovern Principal Inglis Xtra Midway Maiden Plate (1200m) instead.
“The reason I am starting over 1200m because on his work and his trials, he looks like he will go over a bit of ground,” Dilmi said.
Wyong-based trainer Nacim Dilmi
“I am hoping I pulled the right rein by not running him at Hawkesbury on Thursday because they went very quick and I think he would have struggled to keep up.
“I think the big track at Kembla might suit him as well. He is heading in the right direction so far and I am hoping he can make a good impression on debut.”
The Prospect has had two trials under Dilmi’s care and his best was his latest, hitting the line well over 800m at Newcastle on September 24.
“It took him the whole straight at Newcastle to get going so that's why I went for another big track and a track that will suit him,” Dilmi said.
The Prospect is a $9 chance on TAB with Donovan Dillon in the saddle for his first race assignment. Sons of Trapeze Artist have been doing Dilmi well with Oceanfront and Rebel Rhapsody both winning in recent weeks.
“My last two winners were by Trapeze Artist and one was over 1400m and the other was 1850m so they do look like they need to mature a bit and get some distance,” Dilmi said. “I think it’s the case with this horse too.”
Dilmi has taken over from Sara Ryan of Domeland’s Central Coast training operation and is in his first season of training.
It’s all a learning curve in your first year of training but Dilmi already has a Big Dance or Little Dance runner in the form of Bathurst Cup winner Aix En Provence.
“The horses are running well in the races we are targeting but it’s still a bit of a learning process,” Dilmi said. “I am still getting my head around what races will suit those horses and don’t want to aim too high too early with them.”
The Kembla Grange card kicks off at 1.30pm.
View final fields with full form & race replays for Kembla Grange here