Untapped colt Southend's spring targets remain flexible
According to Sterling Alexiou, the team is still in the process of understanding the untapped colt Southend. The early stages of his campaign will be crucial in shaping his spring racing plans.
The three-year-old is set to resume in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes over 1400m at Rosehill this Saturday. Facing barrier nine in a field of 11, the plan is to ride him conservatively and allow him to finish strongly.
"That's probably the only disappointing thing. If he could have drawn a decent barrier, he would have had the option to race a bit handier," Alexiou remarked.
"Just that start is a bit tricky. We'll probably have to take our medicine, balance up, and he'll be finding the line well."
Southend, who secured victory in the Baillieu (1400m) during his second start in the autumn, had reached the conclusion of his preparation when finishing sixth in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) in April.
As a consequence, his connections did not gain substantial insight into his ability over the mile. Alexiou is hopeful that the colt's performance this Saturday, followed by his scheduled next start in the Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m), will provide clearer indications.
"We're still feeling our way with him in regards to what his best distance is going to be," he commented.
"It was an end of 'prep' run (in the Champagne Stakes). He was up in trip, three weeks between runs and in a pretty strong race."
"He'll run on Saturday and then go to the Ming Dynasty, then we'll work out if we go to a Golden Rose or a Caulfield Guineas, or a Dulcify Stakes and on to a Spring Champion Stakes."
"We'll know a lot more after Saturday, and a lot more after the Ming Dynasty."
Southend has pleased Alexiou with his two trial performances, the most recent seeing him defeat the highly regarded filly Chayan.
However, he has cautioned that the colt has always been on the more robust side and will improve significantly on whatever he achieves first-up, though a competitive debut is expected.
"I'm just really looking forward to getting him back to the races and seeing how much improvement he's made," Alexiou said.
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