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By Ray Hickson

Nobody has been in a rush with promising gelding Sarrismo and, as he makes his city debut at Rosehill on Wednesday, it’s that patience that co-trainer Tom Charlton is confident will pay off in the long run.

Trainer Tom Charlton (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The four-year-old has won two of his three starts but his first-up Hawkesbury win in early September was his first start for 10 months.

Charlton said he and John O’Shea believe there’s more to come from Sarrismo and the QMS Handicap (1400m) is a good stepping stone at this stage of his life.

“He’s always been a nice horse and one we’ve given time to,’’ Charlton said.

“He had a couple of minor setbacks (in the autumn) and we had to give him some time out. Nothing significant but just a few immaturities, he’s owned by a group of owners who allowed us that and hopefully they’ll reap the rewards.”

Sarrismo, $2.70 with TAB on Tuesday, won on debut last November before finishing third in a Class 1 a couple of weeks later where he was just over a length behind subsequent Group 2 winner Pocketing.

He put four lengths on his rivals when leading all the way on his return and Charlton said he’ll have his chance to back that performance up.

“He responded well to the way we rode him last time and the blinkers sharpened him up,’’ he said.

“He couldn’t have done much more in his first-up run. It was a big effort so we didn’t want to rush him back to the races.

“The track and distance should suit him, he gets a nice set up, a good jockey and we’ll be hoping he can make his mark.”

Three-year-old Perfect Apple could be an interesting runner in the United Resource Management Handicap (1200m) having not started since a debut fifth behind Autum Boy back in June.

Charlton said the effort was a solid pass mark and the gelding has shown since he’s returned with two trial wins that he’s a horse to watch.

“We thought he ran really well that day, he probably didn’t corner that well and was forced wide,’’ he said.

“He finished off okay. He’s always shown above average potential, off his two trials this campaign he looks to have come back well and with plenty of upside.

“He’s not drawn ideally but he’s a horse we think can make the grade.”

He along with stablemate Pimlico will be among the acceptors at Newcastle on Thursday with the likelihood that the latter runs there.

Among the stable’s other Rosehill acceptors, Charlton said King Pedro will wait until next week’s Kensington meeting to make his local debut having run sixth in the New Zealand Derby.

And Bartolf has his chance to consolidate on a last start Gosford win in the Alinta Energy Handicap (1200m).

“The draw should suit him. On his day on a dry track he’s a really effective horse and he gets that opportunity,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Athabascan will be O’Shea & Charlton’s lone representative in Saturday’s Group 1 $750,000 Asahi Super Dry Metropolitan (2400m).

The seven-year-old has followed the same preparation as he did a year ago and Charlton said while his two runs back don’t read that well on paper he appears to be tracking to find some form soon.

“He hasn’t found himself in a scenario that’s suited him yet,’’ he said.

Sarrismo wins at Hawkesbury on September 6

“Last start it had him at his top the whole way and he wasn’t able to quicken like some of them. He’s one of those horses that just needs a few favours in these races but is capable of running a big race.

“He hasn’t run too dissimilar in the preparation so far than he did a year ago when he didn’t run badly then won the St Leger the start after.”

Athabascan has 52kg in the Metropolitan.

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday's meeting at Rosehill