Trainer Darren Weir declared it's 'all systems go' for Trust In A Gust's Brisbane campaign after his first-up run at Caulfield.
The G1 BTC Cup (1200m) is his next assignment at Doomben on May 9 followed
by the G1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) on May 23 and G1 Stradbroke Hcp (1350m) on
June 6.
He will then retire to Swettenham Stud for an introductory service fee of $13,200 (inc gst). There are also a limited number of Lifetime Breeding Rights available which will sell out quickly if he's successful in another Group 1 in Queensland.
Trust In A Gust was travelling like a winner until collared right on the line in the VOBIS Gold Sprint (1200m) on Saturday. "He and did a great job to fight off all challenges until his condition just gave out at the end," Weir said on Tuesday. "He was three weeks behind where he should have been, that was the difference."
The VOBIS Gold Sprint was his first start since completing a Group 1 spring double in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes & Toorak Handicap in October. "He was nice and fresh in the run and got keen at the 500m which is a long way from home," jockey Craig Williams explained. "For him to keep fighting all the way to the line shows why he's a Group 1 horse."
Weir is rapt with the way Trust In A Gust has come through Saturday. "I'm looking forward to more natural improvement in Queensland," he said. "He's so reliable and the pressure in the big sprints up there will certainly play to his strengths.
"He's already done enough to justify a start at stud. Brisbane will be the icing on the cake."
Weir knew Trust In A Gust had ability from the outset and the colt was VOBIS Horse of the Year as a three year-old before developing into a genuine Group 1 horse this season.
"You raise the bar and he goes with it," Weir explained. "He can do it tough and will still give a good kick.
"He's sound, loves working and makes his own luck. He's a perfect horse to train and he's a magnificent specimen for stud."
Lifetime Breeding Rights are available for $30,000. For further information, breeders should call Swettenham's Sales & Marketing Manager Chris Belli on 0417 514 552.
