GODLPHIN colt Tessera showed why it's a genuine 2016 Golden Slipper contender with another gutsy win at Rosehill on Saturday.

The John O'Shea-trained two-year-old showed a clean pair of heels in the straight to hold off the well-supported Defcon in the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes, rocketing the unbeaten colt into Slipper contention.

O'Shea and jockey James McDonald knew the colt had plenty of talent, but have been taken by surprise with its two career starts, and now its path is likely to change.

O'Shea had targeted the Talendert Stakes at Flemington as its next start, but a preparation for the Golden Slipper might now be on the cards.

“It is fair to say he has shown us he is probably too good for that now,” O'Shea said.

“We will have to raise the bar a bit higher. Irrespective of what we think of him, he keeps telling us where he sits and he is entitled to be high in the market for the Golden Slipper.”

Tessera moved from $51 to $15 in the Slipper market after winning on Saturday and James McDonald believes it will only get better.

“He is a lovely colt,” McDonald said. “At his first start, we didn't think he would win but he got the job done. Then today, he was giving all these ‘guys' a bit of weight and there are big raps on them but he has won again.

“He has probably flown under the radar a bit but all you can do is win. Wait until I can ride him with a sit, he will be much better.”

In its first start, Tessera showed good fight in the straight and it had to call upon those qualities in the Canonbury as it jumped in front and held the rail before being challenged by Defcon.

“Tessera conceded late to them today but he was able to win again and that shows he has a future,” O'Shea said. “You know what you get with this one, he is an unassuming colt but when he comes to the races and gives 100 percent.

“He made nice improvement from his first start which led us to believe he would be competitive again. No matter what I think, he keeps showing us he is a very good colt and more than capable of holding his own at any level. He loves a scrap.”

Tessera joins a list of five others at $15 for the Golden Slipper. Stablemate Calliope, Extreme Choice, Honesty Prevails and Scarlet Rain all sit on the same line with Capitalist dominating action at $3.50 with CrownBet.com.au.

Tarzino on track despite trials blunder

Group 1 VRC Derby winner Tarzino kicked off its new campaign with a trial at Geelong on Monday, but it didn't come without its controversy.

The Mick Price-trained son of Tavistock finished near the rear of the 1200-metre trial which was meant to be run on the grass, but a decision was made by management to host all trials on the synthetic track.

“Disappointing we were not on the grass, but I have made my feelings known to the Geelong management,” Price said. “The main thing is I'm very happy with the horse and he's going terrific.

“He came out of the gates and Craig [Newitt] said he resented the kick-back on this synthetic surface – it's the first time that big colt in blinkers would have seen that sort of thing.

“I was very happy through the line, obviously it was a crawl around and sprint home kind of trial. The horse is going fantastic.”

Tarzino will resume in the Group 1 Orr Stakes on Saturday week before preparing towards the Guineas' races and the ATC Derby.

“We're sticking to 1400 metres first-up in the Orr and then three weeks into the Australian Guineas and then the Rosehill Guineas and ATC Derby,” Price said.

“If he has a good trip to Sydney and settles in, handles the reverse way of going, then I think we'll see the best of him in the two Sydney runs, the Derby in particular.”

Tarzino is the current $4 favourite for the ATC Derby with Sportsbet.com.au and Price believes it is one of the toughest stayers he has ever trained.

“I think he's a great staying prospect. I'm mindful he had a spring preparation and he'll only have the four runs,” Price said.

“I've had a few of these Derby-type horses into the autumn and he's the toughest I've had. He's furnished into a stronger animal and I'm very happy with him.”

California Chrome leads American charge in Dubai

A trio of high-class American thoroughbreds will compete in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup on March 27, led by none other than California Chrome.

The Alan Sherman-trained runner famously won the first two legs of the 2014 Triple Crown, but unlike most high profile Triple Crown entrants, California Chrome continued to race on around the world.

It is now being set for its second attempt at the Dubai World Cup and two of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah's adversary's are setting their sights on international success.

Frosted and Keen Ice have been confirmed to race at Meydan and their big race experience should count in their favour.

California Chrome is the favoured runner in the betting, however, with Sherman commenting on its recent work.

“[California] Chrome worked like a beast this morning,” Sherman said. “We couldn't be happier with Chrome and the way he is training in Dubai.”

Dubai World Cup market:

California Chrome – $4 at WilliamHill.com.au
Frosted – $7
Mubtaahij – $8
Intilaaq – $11
Keen Ice – $13
Effinex – $15
Tryster – $15
Fascinating Rock – $15
Sloane Avenue – $17
Hoppertunity – $17
Ertijaal – $21
Sir Fever – $26
Rogue Runner – $34