A narrow trial defeat has failed to dampen Rick Hore-Lacy's enthusiasm for leading Caulfield Guineas prospect Toorak Toff.Ridden by champion jockey Damien Oliver, the chestnut son of Show A Heart failed by a head to snatch a last stride victory over stakes-placed Tricky Tricky in the fastest 1000m trial of day at Geelong in 60.03s .Hore-Lacy said the hit-out would bring Toorak Toff on for his first-up assignment in the Listed Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 14, leading in to the Golde
A narrow trial defeat has failed to dampen Rick Hore-Lacy's enthusiasm for leading Caulfield Guineas prospect Toorak Toff.
Ridden by champion jockey Damien Oliver, the chestnut son of Show A Heart failed by a head to snatch a last stride victory over stakes-placed Tricky Tricky in the fastest 1000m trial of day at Geelong in 60.03s .
Hore-Lacy said the hit-out would bring Toorak Toff on for his first-up assignment in the Listed Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 14, leading in to the Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on August 28.
"The winner goes pretty fast and he (Toorak Toff) would have got him in one more stride," Hore-Lacy said after Monday's trial.
"Ollie wasn't exactly over exerting him."
Oliver said Toorak Toff was always comfortable in the trial.
Hore-Lacy rates Toorak Toff as potentially the best horse he has trained since Redoute's Choice, a four-time Group One winner of the 2000 Blue Diamond Stakes, Manikato Stakes, and Caulfield Guineas and 2001 Orr Stakes.
"I have always liked him," Hore-Lacy said.
"He has got everything you need in a good racehorse and is so relaxed I am sure he will run at least a mile (1600m).
"The Vain Stakes is a good race to start him off in but I'm just wondering whether it will be a bit short."
Hore-Lacy said Toorak Toff would be better suited over 1400 metres and is confident he will have him at his top for the Golden Rose.
A winner of three of his six starts, Toorak Toff hasn't raced since campaigning in Sydney last autumn where he finished a half length fourth to Yosei in the Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick and a close seventh to Skilled in the Champagne Stakes (1600m).
He also started twice in Adelaide where he won the Magic Millions and the Group Three Jansz (1200m).
The Jansz was Oliver's only ride on the horse and he will be aboard again in the Vain Stakes.
"Being four of five months older he (Toorak Toff) has come back stronger," Hore-Lacy said.
He said that ideally he would like to space Toorak Toff's runs two weeks apart leading in to the Caulfield Guineas and hasn't ruled out targeting weight-forage races on the way through.
Meanwhile trainer John Sadler has nominated Tricky Tricky for Saturday's Notoire Handicap (1000m) at Caulfield.
The Danzero colt has only raced twice and at his debut was second to subsequent Blue Diamond Stakes winner Star Witness when beaten 1-1/2 lengths in the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on January 30.
Sadler said Tricky Tricky would get his chance to prove he was up to the Caulfield Guineas.
"The Guineas is his goal but we will just have to see how far he can get," Sadler said.
"If we are happy with him, the 1000 metres on Saturday at Caulfield would be nice for him first up and then we would try him at 1200 and 1400 and see how we go."