Ryan commits to running Standout in wet

Expressway Stakes winner Standout (white cap) will run at Randwick unless the track is downgraded.

Owner George Altomonte has given the green light to test quality colt Standout on a wet track in the Group One Canterbury Stakes at Randwick.

Trainer Gerald Ryan flagged the possibility the colt might not run if the track was heavy but following a discussion with long-time stable supporter Altomonte late on Thursday, Ryan confirmed Standout a near-definite starter.

Standout has never raced on slow or heavy ground but Ryan says Altomonte is keen to roll the dice in Saturday’s weight-for-age test to find out if he handles it.

“He’ll run. Unless it’s a nine or 10 and raining, he will run,” Ryan told AAP.

“George said last night, ‘unless it’s a bog, run him because then we will find out yes or no’.”

Randwick was rated a heavy 8 on Friday but with clear skies in Sydney it was hoped that could improve come race day.

A select field of seven will tackle the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) including Group One winners Alizee, The Bostonian and Begood Toya Mother.

Standout proved himself at weight-for-age with a brilliant first-up win in the Expressway Stakes but Saturday will be his maiden attempt at the elite level.

Ryan, who won the race last year with Trapeze Artist, has heard tsome say Saturday’s edition lacks depth but he vehemently disagrees.

“People think it’s a weak Group One, I reckon it’s a good Group One. You’ve got three Group One winners in it,” Ryan said.

“Plus Savatiano won very well the other day. Alizee is there.

“The Bostonian won the Doomben 10,000 and his first up record is five out of six and his wet track form is nearly the same.”

Trained by Tony Pike, The Bostonian scored successive Group One wins in Brisbane during the winter carnival but struggled to let down on the hard spring tracks in Melbourne with his best result a third to Trekking in the Schillaci Stakes.

He was at $12 on Friday with Standout a narrow $2.70 top pick, marginally ahead of James Cummings-trained mares Savatiano ($3) and Alizee ($3.70).

Standout is a full brother to Overreach, who won the 2013 Golden Slipper on a soft track, and if he does handle wet ground at Randwick, Ryan has no doubt the colt is in the right frame of mind.

“He was feeling pretty good yesterday afternoon and jumping around which is pretty unusual for him,” Ryan said

“He’s very well and very bright.”