Gerald Ryan will use Saturday's Festival Stakes at Rosehill to test the Villiers Stakes credentials of smart gelding Ahdashim.The four-year-old has shown talent over sprinting distances but the jury is out on whether he can cope with the 1600 metres of the Group Two Villiers Stakes at Randwick on December 19.Ryan thinks he can and Ahdashim will get the chance to prove his trainer right over Saturday's 1500 metre trip."I think he'll get it, his pedigree says he can," Ryan said."The plan is to go

Gerald Ryan will use Saturday's Festival Stakes at Rosehill to test the Villiers Stakes credentials of smart gelding Ahdashim.

The four-year-old has shown talent over sprinting distances but the jury is out on whether he can cope with the 1600 metres of the Group Two Villiers Stakes at Randwick on December 19.

Ryan thinks he can and Ahdashim will get the chance to prove his trainer right over Saturday's 1500 metre trip.

"I think he'll get it, his pedigree says he can," Ryan said.

"The plan is to go there on Saturday, see how he goes and if he shows he will run 1600 metres we'll go to the Villiers.

"If not, he'll go to the paddock."

Ahdashim is a winner up to 1300 metres and has had one start over the Festival Stakes journey for a fourth to Nine Tales in Group Three company at Sandown last start, beaten a length.

Ryan thought there was plenty of merit in that run given Ahdashim was ridden on the speed, contrary to his usual racing pattern which is to settle back and power home.

"There didn't look to be a lot of speed in that race, he drew the outside barrier and began well so he ended up going forward," Ryan said.

"He was jumping from 1200 metres to 1500 metres within 11 days and just raced a bit keenly without a smother.

"He's done well since he's been back from Melbourne."

Ahdashim is one of 18 entries for the Festival Stakes along with last start winner Lyncean Academy and his Guy Walter-trained stablemate I've Got Talent.

Gai Waterhouse has nominated Saturday's impressive winner Rockwood and Rabbuka while Goulburn Cup winner Parfumier and Bill Ritchie Stakes runner-up Walking Or Dancing are also in the mix.

Blake Shinn has ridden Ahdashim at his past three starts but is currently serving a careless riding suspension with Queenslander Glen Colless picking up the mount.

Colless is making the trip to Sydney to continue his association with Charming Rogue who has been nominated for a Benchmark 95 Hcp (1100m).

Ryan could have up to seven runners at Rosehill, including new recruit Hustle who is one of three entries for the stable in the Benchmark 75 Hcp (1500m) along with Break Card and Regal Banter.

The lightly-raced Hustle was recently sold at a Darley dispersal sale in Victoria where he won one of his two starts for former trainer Peter Snowden.

The 2YO Hcp (1100m) has attracted strong interest with 16 entries headed by the John O'Shea-trained Ambers Waltz, a stablemate of Saturday's brilliant juvenile winner Solar Charged.