Trainer Chad Ormsby has long earmarked Lord Weyburn as his Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) prospect this season, but whether he will continue down that path all hinges on his performance at New Plymouth on Saturday.
The son of Charm Spirit will step up to 1800m for the first time this weekend in the Dobson Marquee and Events, and Ormsby is expecting a bold run from his charge.
“We are expecting a good run because we have been waiting to step him up over further ground and this is his best chance at it. I am expecting him to run well,” Ormsby said.
Top horse racing bookmakers agree with Ormsby's assessment, installing him as a +550 favourite for the race.
If he performs up to expectations on Saturday, Lord Weyburn will likely head to his first stakes assignment, the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie on February 17.
“Things have got to go right for him tomorrow and he has got to look like he is taking the right steps and then we can continue down that road to maybe the Avondale Guineas and then onto the Derby,” Orsmby said.
“The (Derby) distance is going to suit him. He is probably still a year away, but against his own age group and a horse we believe will stay, it is worth having a crack.”
Orsmby will also head to New Plymouth with last start placegetters Rising Tide and Beast of Burden.
“They are both handy horses and they are both putting their hands up,” he said, “Both of them have been working well and we are expecting them to go close. It will just come down to who gets the best run in the race, and it's against other horses who have won races as well. But we are keeping a close eye on the weather too.”