AUSTRALIAN DEBUT FOR CEASAR

Ice Burj runs at Kilmore this afternoon before we have a busy night at Pakenham with three runners under lights.

Ice Burj is in race four, the 3YO Maiden Plate over 1200 metres with Zac Spain riding. It is the first start for the son of Pride Of Dubai since his debut last April.

“It’s his first start after a long break and he’ll start from barrier one now after scratchings,” Mike said.

“The break has helped him physically - he’s a big powerful horse now and a different horse to look at, he’s really strengthened up.

“His work has been good and his last jump out was good so although he’s found himself in a strong looking race I will not be at all surprised to see him run well.”

Cateechee is the first to go at Pakenham in the second race, the 3YO Fillies Maiden Plate over 1200 metres with Jordan Childs riding.

“She’s run well both her starts this time in and I thought her last start at Sandown over 1300 metres was good without winning,” Mike said.

“She came from behind and was beaten under a length with the runner-up finishing second again at Sandown yesterday.

“She’s done well since, she’s back a little bit in trip but it’s a nice long straight at Pakenham and with ordinary luck I expect her to be in the finish again.”

Ceasar makes his Australian debut in race five, the Class 1 Handicap over 1200 metres with Mark Zahra in the saddle.

“He’s shown us decent form in New Zealand and his last start was in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas in November,” Mike said.

“He’s done well since he’s been here and he was sharp in his jumpout over 800 metres behind a smart colt in General Beau.

“The barrier is a little awkward being the outside of seven but he’s a horse we have a good opinion of and I’d like to think he’s good enough to overcome it.”

Trail Blazer rounds out our day in race seven, the Benchmark 64 Handicap over 1400 metres with Jordan Childs in the saddle.

Like Ice Burj he is racing for the first time following a long break, having not raced since August last year.

“He has also come back bigger and stronger and his last jumpout he was comfortably on speed all the way before getting a bit tired late,” Mike said.

“He had blinkers on for that and I’ve kept them on tonight.

“He’s pleased me on the track, barrier one might not be a major plus but he’s ready to go 1400 first-up and he’s an interesting runner in what looks a fairly even sort of race for this class.”