Promising sprinter Alfa Oro (Bachelor Duke) will get the chance to prove himself as a Group 1 level competitor this autumn with trainer Matt Laurie eyeing a trip to Adelaide.

The five-year-old has long been considered a rising star, but is yet to taste success at Group or Listed level.

His only attempt in that grade, a fourth in the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint, came when he had come to the end of his preparation, Laurie said.

Laurie is hoping that will change this preparation with Alfa Oro set to resume in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes on April 17 with a plan of getting to the Group 1 Goodwood in Adelaide.

“He is probably a bit happier on the tracks with give. So hopefully by the time he is up and racing, that will be more likely to have those conditions,” Laurie said.

“I’d love to have him ready for that (the Goodwood). It would fit in nicely. We could slot in two runs and then that race would be there ready for him.

“But he’s got to perform pretty well over here to go down that path. But he is certainly going to be ready with that in mind.

“It would be great to get him over to Adelaide if he was going well enough. Obviously that leaves the door open to a Queensland campaign too if he was going well enough.”

Alfa Oro stepped back out in public last week, trialling impressively when finishing second at Cranbourne.

“He had a really good prep last time. He probably just had enough by the time he ventured to Caulfield that day,” Laurie said.

“I was happy with the jump out, he looked good in his action. He is a pretty burly horse, so he’s still got a bit of work to go yet.

“He does need quite a bit of work to get him into shape. It doesn’t take him long to put condition on, put it that way.”

Alfa Oro was bred by The Oaks Stud out of the Fastnet Rock mare, Fastnet Lady.   He was sold through their draft at the 2017 Karaka Yearling Sales for $135,000 to Regal Farm, who on-sold him at the 2017 Karaka Ready To Run Sale for $240,000 to Matt Laurie Racing

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