Travis Doudle isn’t looking beyond Saturday’s Listed Hill Smith Stakes this spring with talented three-year-old Merchant Boss.
While the 1800m feature has been used a springboard to the Victoria Derby in the past, Doudle has a long term plan for the last start Morphettville winner.
“Merchant Boss goes into the race in-form and I don’t think the 1800m will be an issue for him,’’ Doudle said.
“He won’t go beyond the Hill Smith, the plan long term with him will be a race like the South Australian Derby next year,’’ he said.
Merchant Boss will have to fend off a host of interstate raiders in the small field.
Danny O’Brien has a pair of maidens headed to Adelaide while Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr will try and grab another SA feature with Big Story who won a Ballarat maiden last month.
Doudle has a two-pronged attack in the small but select field in the shape of another last-start winner in Prince Tikea who comes off a Gawler win on Monday.
“He obviously comes to the race with a different form line, but I think the 1800m suits him as well,’’ Doudle said.
“He’s only had the two runs this time in and there are a few options going forward with him,’’ he said.