Curdled aiming to be cream of the crop
Curdled’s quest for success in the Magic Millions Guineas on the Gold Coast will get underway at Rosehill.
Trainer Peter Robl has mapped out a three-race schedule to prepare the three-year-old for the $2 million race over 1400 metres in January.
Curdled resumes in a Benchmark 75 Handicap (1100m) on Saturday and he will have one more start in Sydney before heading to Brisbane for a final tune-up.
The former jockey hopes Curdled can follow the example of stablemate Centre Pivot who has acquitted himself well at the Magic Millions carnival.
Centre Pivot finished third in the Magic Millions Trophy (1800m) in his first start for Robl after being transferred from John Sargent in 2016 and 12 months later the gelding was fourth in the same race when the distance was increased to 2200m.
Curdled capped his previous preparation with his maiden win in the Listed Winning Edge Stakes (1350m) at Doomben in June.
“He’s always shown us good ability from day one. We have a good opinion of him without getting carried away,” Robl said.
Curdled was rated a $9.50 chance with the TAB on Friday with Bon Amis leading the market at $1.75.
Robl says Curdled, who has only raced on rain-affected tracks, has deliberately been given only one barrier trial to prepare for his first start back.
“They may be a bit sharp for him on a good track over 1100 so we’ve elected to leave him a bit on the fresh side,” he said.