Trainer Andrew Forsman expects to see significant improvement from Mr Maestro when he lines-up at The Valley on Saturday.
The stakes performer finished fifth in his debut Australian outing at Sandown earlier in the month, but the Cambridge conditioner said the 1200m hit-out would bring on the son of Savabeel.
“I was really happy with that run,” Forsman said. “In a sprint home, I thought he was really solid through the line.”
Forsman believes his charge will be competitive once he gets over a mile and a 1500m test in three-year-old company at The Valley this weekend will be more to his liking.
“We took him over there for him to hit his straps once he gets to a mile and further,” Forsman said.
“He gets 1500m at The Valley on Saturday, which looks a more suitable race.
“He should have improved a lot with that first-up run. He had a look around The Valley on Tuesday morning in a track gallop. Damian Lane rode him and really liked how he went.
“He is still a bit raw and a bit new, and he is going to need some racing to come to it. That is why we are over there (early) and there are a lot of suitable options for him.”
Mr Maestro was purchased by Forsman out of Windsor Park Stud's 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $100,000.
The colt is out of six-time winner Let Me Roar, who was Group Two placed for Forsman and former training partner Murray Baker, and is a half-sister to the stable's Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) winner Lion Tamer.
Mr Maestro has recently been joined in Melbourne by stablemate Saint Bathans.
The lightly-raced four-year-old has won two races and finished fourth to Pinarello in the Group 2 Championship Stakes (2100m) at Pukekohe in April.
He had one trial in New Zealand earlier this month, finishing runner-up in his 900m heat at Te Rapa.
“Saint Bathans went over late last week and has settled in well,” Forsman said.
“At this stage he is set to have a jumpout at Flemington on Friday. How he performs there will dictate where we run first-up.
“There are a couple of options for him at Sandown next Wednesday, which look likely.”
More New Zealand horse racing news