The step up in trip for Linden Tree at Goulburn on Friday is no doubt a positive for his connections but trainer Jason Coyle only has one query.
“He does have to step up to 1500m on a Heavy 10,” Coyle said.
The Redoute’s Choice three-year-old ran behind an in-form horse at Goulburn first-up over 1200m on a bog track but did look like a horse who was needing the run and will love more ground.
He’s only won once from 12 attempts with three minor placings but this is the point in his career where he can really improve.
“All the jockeys that have jumped on him and trialled him say he feels a lot stronger than last preparation,” Coyle said.
“He showed little inklings of being a nice horse who could work through his grades, especially with the way he won is maiden.
“There’s a horse there somewhere and this preparation we’ll figure out where he’s at and how far he can go.
“I still think he’s probably got a metropolitan race in him and based on his first-up run you’d think he wants to get out to at least a mile.”
Choice Deel runs in the third event after winning at this track last start.
It was a good one-length win and he strikes another small field and will stride through the wet track.
“It was only a four-horse field and he was the most experienced horse in it and was probably the fittest,” Coyle said.
“He handled the ground too so there was a lot of positives for him in that race but I liked the way he won.
“I’m hoping he can go on with it. He’s a horse that showed me a lot early but hasn’t delivered yet.
“It would be nice to think that win was a confidence booster.”
Choice Deel ran sixth two runs back in the bush but was just 1 ½ lengths off winning a provincial race three starts back.
“Disregard his Nowra run this preparation. He just didn’t handle that track for some reason. He just couldn’t beat his feet up,” Coyle said.
Bracewell is a first starter for the Warwick Farm trainer in the seventh race which is stacked with debutants.
Coyle said he’d know how well his youngster will finish based on his early racing manners.
“I’ve had a couple of Dream Ahead’s and they just want to do everything once the gates open,” he said.
“He’ll win races but, mentally, he needs to learn to do things right. If he can contain himself early, I think he can find the line strongly.”
Citizen’s Arrest carries just 55kg in the last race and Coyle feels like he’s got the veteran back to her best off a six-week freshen.
“She’s going well. It was a totally forgive run at Hawkesbury because she didn’t get cover,” he said.
“She trialled very well and she’s back to a track and distance she’s done well at before so hopefully she can pick off another one.”
The market can’t split Mandalorian and Confined Thoughts in the second race and Coyle can’t either.
“Fitness-wise, I think Mandalorian may be a touch ahead after that heavy track run the other day,” he said.
“Confined Thoughts hasn’t won a race but she tries hard.”