Sydney colts Paradoxium and Steel Will loom large in the Group 3 Poseidon Stakes (1100m) on Saturday at Flemington.
Paradoxium has firmed $5.50 into $3.60 to split Victorian colts Mbube ($3.40) and Big Sky ($4.80), from another Harbour City raider Steel Will ($8).
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Paradoxium, trained by Bjorn Baker, won the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) in Sydney first-up last campaign.
Steel Will, trained by Chris Waller, has inferior form to the top three but race fitness and the bloodline to suit the Flemington straight through older half-sister September Run.
September Run, also trained by Waller prior to being retired to a broodmare career, starred on the Flemington straight in 2020.
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September Run claimed the Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m), Poseidon and Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) in consecutive starts.
Steel Will backed up a six-length Wyong maiden romp to win at Rosehill last start to warrant the Poseidon bid.
“We want to run him to see where he does fit in,” Waller said.
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“Sentimentally, there’s a little bit of hope in our favour … this is where (September Run) found her great form.
“He’s done everything right in Sydney so we just want to see how he performs down the straight and then he can go through the Danehill and hopefully a Coolmore.”
Meanwhile, Waller scratched Aeliana on Thursday from the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) after she drew the outside barrier.
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Gilbert GardinerSports reporter