Waller with three chances in Carbine Club

The stakes race that launched the career of Group One winner Kermadec could provide a similar stepping stone for Criterion’s younger brother Comin’ Through.

The colt is one of three Chris Waller-trained three-year-olds in Saturday’s Group Three Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington along with High Mist and Nikitas.

A half-brother to the now-retired multiple Group One winner Criterion, has only had two starts in Sydney for a maiden win and a runner-up finish in a benchmark race, the same form line Kermadec brought into the race two years ago before winning his stakes race debut.

“It’s a race for making horses, I believe,” Waller said.

Kermadec went on to run an unlucky fourth in the Australian Guineas in the autumn before winning the Doncaster Mile.

“It sounds like a good path to follow if we could, if it was that easy,” Waller said.

“The beauty of the spring carnival is that it gets the good horses racing and it gets the up-and-comers on the scene to set the scene for racing ahead.

“Flemington during Cup week has got a race for every horse.”

Waller labelled Comin’ Through an exciting horse.

“He’s the new kid on the block and we expect him to run well,” he said.

“It’s a good start for a horse like him. It gives him a trip away and hopefully he’s there in the autumn in some better races.”

High Mist was originally on a Victoria Derby path before he was unplaced in the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) earlier this month.

“He looked our Derby horse at one stage but we didn’t think he quite settles well enough to get the trip, hence he’s coming back in distance and he should run pretty well,” Waller said.

Waller has opted to take the blinkers off the equally well-related Nikitas, a half brother to Caulfield Cup winner Jameka, who steps up to 1600m for the first time since he was unplaced in the J J Atkins won by Victoria Derby favourite Sacred Elixir.

“I’ve had various reports from riders saying he won’t get any further,” Waller said.

“He’s well related being a brother to Jameka. We’ll try him over the mile and change around some headgear with him and see if he can settle.”