Gordon Richards is confident the timing is right to head back to Melbourne with Charossa, who runs at Flemington on Saturday.
In the past 12 months Richards has had 17 runners at VRC headquarters for three wins and six placings, while Charossa was a Flemington winner in 2019 during his most successful campaign, when he won four races.
He returned in good form early this year when third in the Listed C S Hayes Stakes at Morphettville and was runner-up at Caulfield but had been struggling to regain his best form early this campaign.
Richards said despite working well early in his preparation, it took the jump from a mile up to 1950m and beyond for Charossa to regain form, with a return to the winners’ list over 2500m at Morphettville last time out.
“I’m not really sure why he wasn’t firing, his work was really good,” Richards said.
“The races were at unsuitable distances, but when they are fresh you expect them to run well.
“It was until we got him out in trip, and we were able to ride him a little bit differently, which you can in those longer races, that’s seen him find his best,” he said.
Charossa was able to dictate on speed when too good for Hasta La Fiorente over 2500m in Adelaide and will have the services of in-form jockey Jamie Kah at Flemington.
“It’s a good time for him to go over,” Richards said.
“He’s had three runs over the distance now. It’s a benchmark race, which is why he gets a bit of weight, but (it) gives a good idea of where he’s heading.”
Locally at Morphettville, Richards saddles up Roselli Sting and Enki in the final race on the card and said having both horses drawn well over the 1541m trip was a welcome change.
“They’re both drawn barriers where they can sit up on the speed,” Richards said.
“Their form is pretty honest, and I think they can both run well.”