Guest House, Golden Slipper winner, set for three-year-old season start

Guest House cemented his status as a juvenile star last preparation, and his aim this spring is to prove he's more than just an early bloomer.

The colt, who trainer Mick Price described as a 'big centre-half-forward', is scheduled for his first start as a three-year-old in the upcoming $250,000 Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill this Saturday.

This imposing son of Home Affairs overwhelmed his competitors in the Golden Slipper in March, and Price suggested that further development during his break has him adequately prepared for the ambitious campaign mapped 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 revealed 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 mark the first of two preparatory runs for Guest House leading into the $1 million Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) on September 26. He is also slated to compete in the $300,000 Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) in the interim.

Provided these initial three races unfold as anticipated, Price and his training partner Michael Kent Jnr plan to enter The Everest, the $20 million race over 1200m on October 17, followed by the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington a fortnight later.

Guest House's build-up for the San Domenico Stakes has involved two trials. He finished fourth over 900m on August 4 and then secured a close second place behind 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 stated.

"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 challengers for Guest House this Saturday. The field also includes Golden Slipper placegetter Music Time, Magic Millions champion Unit Five, the highly-regarded colt Central Europe, the talented filly Blue Door, and Golden Gift winner Revengeance.

Check out the latest racing odds for the San Domenico Stakes at leading online bookmakers.