Kavanaghs to test ‘slow learner' Figlio D'Argento in Saturday grade at Caulfield
Trainers Mark and Levi Kavanagh will attempt to accelerate a promising three-year-old's learning in a tough Caulfield test on Saturday.
The Flemington trainers will attempt to guide the last-start Sandown winner Figlio D'Argento through his grades while earning good prizemoney during the Melbourne winter period.
Figlio D'Argento has won two of five starts but Levi Kavanagh said the gelding has plenty of improvement in him as he learns his craft.
Kavanagh said the camp had plans to test the son of the 2018 Rosehill Guineas winner D'Argento as a South Australian Derby candidate in his autumn preparation but a lack of maturity ended that plan.
'He's been a work in progress but he's always shown us a bit of talent,' Kavanagh said.
'I had it in the back of my mind to try to get him up to an Adelaide Derby this prep but he was just too keen early on in his jumpouts and everything like that.
'We've just taken our time with him but it seems to have worked.'
Figlio D'Argento turned in two even runs start his latest campaign before relishing the step to 1400m with an all-the-way win at Sandown last month.
Kavanagh said the manner of Figlio D'Argento's Sandown win showed the gelding was starting to work things out.
'He's shown us that he can step up in trip, now that we're getting him to settle a bit,' Kavanagh said.
'Even though he was out in front the other day, he got into a nice rhythm and didn't overdo it so he was still strong to the line.
'He's the sort of horse that needs a bit of racing to get him up to speed as he's been a bit of a slow learner and had a few quirks along the way.'
The Kavanaghs will test Figlio D'Argento over 1600m in Saturday's GMH Fire & Safety Australia Handicap at Caulfield.
The rise in class and distance prompted bookies to rate Figlio D'Argento as a $15 chance but Kavanagh was keen to see how the lightly raced galloper performed in Saturday grade.
'We're looking to put him in the deep end this week and see how he goes,' Kavanagh said.
'This is the time of the year to have three-year-olds that are slower maturers that can work through their grades and get some education and practice against their three-year-old counterparts.
'I don't think it will worry him if the sting comes out of the ground as we go through winter.'
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