Comin’ Through ready for next step

There are inevitable comparisons between Comin’ Through and his elder sibling Criterion but apart from ability, their early career paths could not be more different.

Criterion was up and running as a two-year-old, claiming two stakes races and running in the Golden Slipper and Champagne Stakes.

Comin’ Through didn’t race until he turned three and has won two of his four starts heading into Saturday’s Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill.

He made a winning debut over 1400 metres and won the Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at his third start in October.

He finished fifth in the Eskimo Prince Stakes at his first start this campaign, the first time he has run over 1200 metres.

“It was a good run first-up and he will take benefit from that race,” trainer Chris Waller said.

“We think he is an ideal Doncaster horse. He will go to the 1600 metres of the Guineas next with our preference to run at Randwick.”

The Randwick and Australian Guineas at Flemington are both run on March 4.

The now-retired Criterion was trained by David Payne to win the Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby before being switched to Lindsay Park which trained him to win the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Like Criterion, Comin’ Through is raced by his breeder, New Zealand businessman and philanthropist Sir Owen Glenn.

Criterion is by 2008 Golden Slipper winner Sebring while Comin’ Through is by Fastnet Rock. Both are out of Group Three winning sprinter Mica’s Pride.

Comn’ Through is the early $3.80 favourite for the Hobartville ahead of Victoria Derby winner Prized Icon at $4.80.

Waller also has Veladero in the Hobartville with the colt on a path to the Rosehill Guineas and possibly the Australian Derby.

The winner of the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) in the spring, Veladero is at $8.

“He has been working well but will appreciate when he gets up over a mile and further but he could finish in the first three,” Waller said.

Among the trainer’s other stakes runners at Rosehill are French Emotion and Tsaritsa who are outsiders in the Group Two Millie Fox Stakes, a race Waller has won four times in the past five years with Red Tracer (three) and Catkins.

Although the pair don’t feature among the market leaders, Waller was particularly happy with Tsaritsa’s sixth in the Breerders’ Classic, 2-1/2 lengths from the winner In Her Time.

“She made up ground last start which was encouraging,” he said.

“Last preparation she was having some breathing problems. She didn’t need surgery but it’s the sort of thing that causes them anxiety and they lose confidence.

“She is much better now.”