Trainer has a Group One dream at Caulfield

Newcastle trainer Rodney Ollerton has his eyes fixed on one spring prize for talented sprinter Royal Tudor.

Ollerton has planned a campaign towards the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on October 1.

Royal Tudor made his Melbourne debut at Caulfield earlier in September and lines up again at the track in Saturday’s Group Three Testa Rossa Stakes.

Ollerton, on his first trip to Melbourne, has remained at his Caulfield base since Royal Tudor’s first-up outing giving the sprinter every opportunity of achieving his goal.

And Ollerton hasn’t looked any further into the spring than Sunday week’s Group One race.

“I’ll worry about a back up plan if I need it,” he said.

“I just want to keep my eyes on the goal.”

Royal Tudor has won eight of his 22 starts and Ollerton began Melbourne plans after the gelding won over 1400m at Rosehill in June.

“He’s worked his way through the grades pretty well at home and he’s probably on the brink of needing to take that next step,” Ollerton said.

“We’ll give him the opportunity to see if he can.”

Ridden by Dwayne Dunn, his rider on Saturday, Royal Tudor finished fifth behind Voodoo Lad in The Heath 1100 at Caulfield on September 2, his first run following a break.

“It was a little short for him but I thought it was a good solid effort for him first time around Caulfield,” Ollerton said.

“Ideally he’s probably best suited to 1400 metres but the 1200 will certainly suit him better and it will be good for him going forward from there.”

Royal Tudor is an $18 chance in betting while Brave Smash, having his final outing before next month’s $10 million Everest at Randwick, is the $1.75 favourite.