Welcometotheshow primed for Toorak Handicap tilt

Trainer Tyler Donaldson-Aitken is preparing to mark a significant career milestone, readying his first Group 1 contender, Welcometotheshow.

The race targeted for Welcometotheshow is the highly anticipated Toorak Handicap, a 1600-metre event at Caulfield this Saturday. This comes after the gelding secured his inaugural Stakes race victory at Flemington on September 12.

A recent trial at Caulfield Heath on Thursday saw Welcometotheshow complete an easy 1000-metre hit-out, finishing in sixth position.

"There was a Group 1 horse in there that had performed well over a shorter distance, and it was in front of us," Donaldson-Aitken commented. "They went a bit slow early and it kicked away late, but Craig (Newitt) was happy with how he trialled.

"We wanted him to have a bit of a blow today. He hadn't done any big pieces of work since he last raced in the Listed race at Flemington, so it was a good gallop for him."

Donaldson-Aitken indicated that the Toorak Handicap became a viable option following the gelding's success at Flemington. His current rating of 98 should be sufficient for him to gain entry into the race.

"He'll get in on the minimum, still a couple of points out of handicap, but you can't really argue with 52 (kilos)," Donaldson-Aitken stated. "We've always liked him. It was lucky that he was passed in as a Ready To Run horse from our draft and we were able to train him, and he's become what he is.

"He always keeps stepping up and as you lift the bar, he keeps stepping up to it and coming to Saturday, it's another big step up again, so we'll see how he goes.

"He's good over a mile, and the goal for this preparation, ultimately, is to get him out over 2000 (metres)."

Following his run in the Toorak Handicap, Donaldson-Aitken has the Five Diamonds Prelude at Randwick on October 24 and the Group 3 Five Diamonds (1800m) at Randwick on November 7 pencilled in.

"He's given us every indication that he will stay 2000 (metres), and Craig said he definitely will," Donaldson-Aitken assured. "Once we get to 1800 then we can go to 2000 and if he can perform at that with a turn of foot, he'll be dangerous again."

With the Toorak Handicap looming, explore the available racing betting markets for this exciting contest.