Napoleonic targets maiden Group 1 glory at Caulfield

The training duo of John O'Shea and Tom Charlton is anticipating their return to Melbourne with the promising colt, Napoleonic.

Having won three times from twelve starts, Napoleonic has only raced once in Melbourne, securing a decisive 4-¼ length victory at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day last year.

It was this performance that generated considerable excitement among those associated with Napoleonic for his future prospects, and it also marked the son of Wootton Bassett's most recent win.

The entire is slated to compete in Melbourne again this Sunday, aiming for the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield, due to the ongoing rebuild of the Moonee Valley circuit.

"We're looking forward to getting him back down to Melbourne," Charlton conveyed.

"He certainly showed his effectiveness at the Valley as a three-year-old, and we are confident he has the capability to perform well at Caulfield.

"We've been pleased with his condition. We felt his initial run in the Missile Stakes was a very commendable effort.

"That race typically produces strong form, and although he's had a break since then, he benefits from such periods, and he completed a solid trial last week."

After participating in Brisbane during the winter, where Napoleonic secured third place behind Rothfire and Spicy Martini in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000, the four-year-old colt has not competed since his second-place finish to Ninja at Randwick on August 8.

He did participate in and win a trial at Randwick on September 11, and the Manikato Stakes has been a long-held ambition for the entire.

"He is a horse we are striving to win a Group 1 race with, and this was a suitable opportunity for him," Charlton remarked.

"This has undoubtedly been the plan since the Missile Stakes, at the very least."

Charlton indicated that beyond Sunday's Group 1 feature, no specific plans have been finalised.

"We will assess how he performs on Sunday, but there will be ample opportunities available in Sydney or back in Melbourne towards the conclusion of the Carnival," Charlton elaborated.

"We believe his most accomplished form has likely been over 1200 metres, suggesting he is more suited to sprinting distances."

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