Champion trainer Chris Waller is looking for the next generation of his stable to come through and believes he has at least one group 1 three-year-old colt among Merovee, D'Argento, Paret and Al Mah Haha, which are scheduled to resume at Randwick tomorrow.
"I couldn't split them at the moment but I would expect at least one of them to be a group 1 performer," Waller said. "These horses are horses on the way up, and I like to get in early to give them a bit of confidence and fitness before the big boys come back.
"We will spread them out over the next couple of weeks and they will sort themselves out. It will be interesting to see which of them stands up.
"By getting them in early we can space their runs and have three or four weeks before a second-up run and I think we will see some of them in Randwick and Australian guineas third-up."Waller also has impressive filly Unforgotten and Savabeel colt Konic coming through the ranks and ready to reappear in the next month.
He admits his stable is in regeneration mode, outside Winx, and is confident this year's three-year-old crop can step up. As always he has been patient rather than forcing the issue with his horses as two-year-olds, leaving plenty in the tank.
"We are looking for that next horse to come through," Waller said. "We had a good bunch of three-year-old fillies last year and Foxplay and Egg Tart were able to win group 1s but you are always looking for that next one.
"Winx is a superstar but outside her we are rebuilding at that top level at the moment."
Waller hasn't had a male group 1 winner since Preferment in The BMW in 2016 and to get a colt through the system will be a focus for the autumn.
He favours Al Mah Haha on Saturday because of him having the benefit of run, and a win at Canterbury, under his belt.
"That race fitness can make a lot of difference," Waller said. "He is a nice colt that is improving."
Hugh Bowman takes the reins on D'Argento, which won his only two starts at Newcastle and Rosehill in July. "He has won a couple of off-season races but we didn't press him. He is going to be given his chance to step out in distance and I think that will suit him," Waller said.
Frankel colt Merovee and Paret were given chances at higher levels in their first preparation but have come back stronger.
Merovee was runner-up in the Spring Stakes at Newcastle over a mile, which might have come a little too soon for him.
"He did a good job in the spring and all he lacked was maturity, and he appears to have that now in work," Waller said. "Paret looks like a miler and I like the way he is relaxing in his trials this time in."
Meanwhile, Winx will have a barrier trial to start her autumn campaign at Rosehill on Monday after she had a strong workout last Saturday.
"She is fully matured now and exactly where I want her at the start of a preparation," Waller said. "She is the same as last year when we went to the trials and it is always good to have her back."
Winx is a contender for the world's best racehorse, which will be announced on Tuesday in London. Waller and jockey Hugh Bowman have decided not to go to the awards this year where Winx will be represented by her owners.
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