Group I glory might not be far away for trainer Kurt Goldman if Hellbent can meet his expectations and win Saturday's Listed ATC $150,000 Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick.
Goldman said he could tell from day one that the son of I Am Invincible was going to be an exciting horse.
"I knew he was stakes-class horse as soon as I worked him," Goldman said. "We thought he was good enough to be a Golden Slipper horse but he wasn't an early two-year-old and was a bit immature."
Hellbent has won his only two career starts in city midweek company in June and September and despite having to possibly take on the likes of Japonisme, Counterattack and Sooboog, his trainer says he's good enough to remain unbeaten.
"He can't do much more than what he's already done but he's got to step up now," Goldman said.
"Being a colt by I Am Invincible we wanted to target the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington and if he steps up on Saturday and wins, he'll be running in the Coolmore third up which is what I wanted.
"He'd have to win comfortably for us to go to the Coolmore. That then would warrant taking on the likes of Exosphere."
Goldman even sent Hellbent to the Gold Coast during the winter to give him the travel experience of a long float ride.
With Blake Shinn riding in Melbourne on Saturday, Tye Angland picks up the ride.
Circumstances have meant Hellbent has been vying for the lead at his first two
starts but don't be surprised to see him take a sit on Saturday. "I think he's a better horse when ridden back, coming off the speed and having something to chase," Goldman said.
"I'm very confident in the horse. He doesn't do much wrong and he's got that competitive spirit and will to win which is why he's won two from two."
A $95,000 Inglis Classic Summer Book purchase from the draft of Dartbrook Downs Thoroughbreds, Hellbent is the second winner for metro winning Volksraad (GB) mare Volkaspray, who comes from the family of triple Group I winning Kiwi mare Viadana.
Hellbent will be looking to follow in the footsteps of that other I Am Invincible colt bought from the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in Brazen Beau, who won the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes last year.
