BOOM New Zealand colt Xtravagant has already been compared to the legendary Sunline and Might and Power but in four days much will be become clearer on the capabilities of the horse with the X factor.
Xtravagant arrives in Australia on Wednesday to prepare for Saturday's Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington
A last-start winner by eight lengths against older horses in the Group 1 Waikato Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa two weeks ago, the three-year-old by Pentire also won the Group 1 New Zealand Guineas (1600m) by 8.5 lengths last November.
Trained by Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards at Matamata, the colt has long been the favourite for the Guineas and is currently rated at $4.20.
In a race that has plenty of depth, Richards admitted that they were happy when Chris Waller opted to remain home in on Sydney to tackle the Randwick Guineas with Press Statement but says there are still plenty of strong chances in the race,
Richards said the front-running Xtravagant had some very exciting assets, including his electrifying speed out of the barriers and an explosive turn of foot.
“His form has been spot on and he is a very exciting colt and it's just a real pleasure to have him in the stable and we can't ask anything more than what he has done at this stage,†Richards said.
“It's a good field but he'll be right as long as he can do everything he does at home.
“He is very explosive from the gates and hopefully he can put himself right there and be hard to run down.â€
Richards said Xtravagant's normal pattern of racing in New Zealand was to put two lengths on the opposition in a stride when he jumps from the gates.
He said he did that in his last start against weight for age sprinters and the step up to 1600m should suit the colt.
“And he is just turning into a real genuine races horse,†Richards said.
“He did a few things wrong early doors but he has got explosive gate speed and then he can relax and he can quicken. He has got some, very, very good traits.
“He is explosive when Matt Cameron lets the handbrake off.â€
And while Xtravagant won his first race, a 1400m maiden, by seven lengths, Richards said he wasn't predicting he'll repeat those sort of margins against top liners but rated him a winning chance if he draws well and everything goes right in the run.
“There have been comparisons with Might and Power and Sunline and those sorts of horses,†he said.
“He is not near them yet but he has ticked a couple of boxes — has won a weight for age race as a three-year-old and he has won a classic as well.â€
Xtravagant was odds on when he failed at his second last start which Richards said was due to an unsuitable soft track.