Trainer Rod Craig believes two-year-old Circle Of Power will return to racing a better horse when he steps out at Canterbury on Wednesday.Craig has also nominated Circle Of Power for the 1100m 2YO Handicap at Rosehill on Saturday but indicated the McGrath Foundation Lunch Maiden (1250m) at Canterbury was the more suitable option."I'm a bit worried about the weather for Saturday, I don't want to give him a gut-buster first-up," Craig said."He has a good alley (at Canterbury), a good rider on, it'

Trainer Rod Craig believes two-year-old Circle Of Power will return to racing a better horse when he steps out at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Craig has also nominated Circle Of Power for the 1100m 2YO Handicap at Rosehill on Saturday but indicated the McGrath Foundation Lunch Maiden (1250m) at Canterbury was the more suitable option.

"I'm a bit worried about the weather for Saturday, I don't want to give him a gut-buster first-up," Craig said.

"He has a good alley (at Canterbury), a good rider on, it's a small field, and the horse is going really well."

Circle Of Power showed ability in two starts in October before Craig decided the colt needed more time to mature.

The son of Arena finished third to Lohan on debut over 1100m at Rosehill on October 10 before finishing third to Intertidal at the same track and distance two weeks later.

Craig took encouragement from those performances and said Circle Of Power had matured into a lovely colt.

"I think we've done the right thing with him and given him time to develop," he said.

"He has a great nature and only does what he has to do.

"It's really all up to him now, I've got him where I want him but he's also got a heap of improvement in him."

Circle Of Power finished second to Thegreatandthegood in an 800m barrier trial at Warwick Farm on January 25.

Noel Callow rode the colt in his two starts last year but Blake Shinn will be aboard at Canterbury from barrier one.

Craig said Callow felt Circle Of Power was unlucky not to have won both times last preparation.

In his first start Circle Of Power jumped awkwardly from a wide barrier and was forced to chase from the back of the field.

At his second start the colt began from the inside gate but was shuffled back during the race before having to make a long, sustained run.

"We didn't plan to ride him that way (at his second start)," Craig said.

"He was a bit tardy away at his first start so in his next start he (Callow) dug him up a little bit and he got up onto heels. He took off early and had to make a long run."

Craig said both were good runs but he decided to give the colt a spell after his second start because he had learned a fair bit but was still immature.

From the inside barrier he expects the colt to make his presence felt on Wednesday.

"He is back to Wednesday company and it's the first maiden that's come along that's suited him," he said.

Craig is hoping Circle Of Power can progress to better races this preparation.

The Warwick Farm-based trainer knows a fair bit about Circle Of Power's family as he trained his mother Quest For Success and trains his full-brother Circle Of Fame and three-quarter sister Velocity Gal.

"Circle Of Fame won over 1900 metres and 2000 metres but this bloke handles 1200 metres, maybe that's the sign of a good horse. The next few weeks will tell us more," he said.