There might be a good race in Japonisme during spring, which made it three in a row at Rosehill on Saturday, but trainer Chris Waller isn't sure where it will be.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The son of Choisir made it three wins since returning from a spell as a gelding and the way he did it was the most impressive of his preparation as he put a big gap on his rivals under a big weight.
"He is one of those horses that just keeps progressing and getting better," Waller said. "He did that with a big weight and really put them away.
"He could easily be a Coolmore type of horse, but there are lots of races and spring is a long time off.
"It is not just about the Golden Rose and when you have got a good sprinter you need to use it and conserve them as well.
"But you can't take away that dream of running in the Golden Rose at the same time."
Waller believes the San Domenico Stakes, a group 3 at set weights and penalties in two weeks, will suit Japonisme as he will get weight relief after lumping 59.5 kilograms on Saturday.
"He is well suited under those conditions," Waller said. "It's another step."
Japonisme showed the benefit of racing and improved his racing manner after a couple of runs where he was inclined to be a little fierce, as he dropped the bit and travelled.
Nash Rawiller, who is back from Hong Kong, was able to stalk leader Shacked Up up to the turn and had not released the brakes when he eased up on the filly's outside and went to the front at the 350-metre mark.
When Rawiller asked for the big effort, Japonisme put four lengths on his rivals as Tempt Me Not ran into second with Zoutenant another 1.5 lengths back in third. It was the final part of the race that was most impressive.
"It was a very good win and the way he found something when asked was immediate; there was a real zip there," Rawiller said.
"When I hit the front I could feel [Tempt Me Not] making a run at me and sometimes these sort of horses [Japonisme] don't find much. He did under a big weight and there are better races in him."
James Cummings admitted Tempt Me Not, which was resuming, was no match for the winner, but he is confident she will be better suited against her own sex.
"She was good and might have run into a very good horse," Cummings said. "I think she showed enough to say she has come back well and there are some nice fillies' races coming up."
