Holler Tackles Top Colts At Caulfield

Time/Date - 1600hrs local time/Saturday, February 13, 2016
Racecourse/Country - Caulfield/Australia
Surface/Distance - Turf/1400m

An inevitable step up in class has left the consistent front-runner Holler facing a major test in the G2 Autumn Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, February 13.

But it is the sort of examination the colt is capable of passing.

Holler (John O'Shea/Damien Oliver) proved one of trainer John O'Shea's better performers during the Melbourne Spring Carnival, producing his best form to beat a handy field in the G3 Red Anchor Stakes at Moonee Valley.

He then returned to the same track last month to repeat the performance in the G2 Australia Stakes.

In both races Holler led throughout and from a wide gate at Caulfield he is likely to attempt the same tactics again.

"The draw isn't the best and he's got to step up from 1200m to 1400m, but he's in very good form and he's a horse we've thought a lot of right from the start," O'Shea said.

So high was the stable's opinion of the son of Commands that he came under consideration for a trip to Royal Ascot.

That plan was prompted by form that has been continuously franked.

As a two-year-old Holler finished close behind recent Randwick Stakes winner Spill The Beans and as an early three-year-old was third to his brilliant stablemate Exosphere and another G1 winner Press Statement in the G2 Run To The Roses.

Perhaps the best guide to his prospects in the Autumn Stakes is his close second to Mahuta in the Listed Gothic Stakes over the Caufield 1400m last October.

Mahuta again shapes as his strongest opposition on Saturday.

"He's been a very honest horse and he's probably improved since the Spring," O'Shea said.

"Caulfield is a track that suits him and I'm confident he'll run well."