Leading Melbourne trainer Peter Moody believes that classy colt Il Cavallo is ready to fire first-up in the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Peter Moody and Luke Nolen are chasing another Group winner with Il Cavallo in the Vain Stakes. Photo by: Taron Clarke

Il Cavallo will be having just the third start of his career after winning in impressive fashion in the Swettenham Stud Handicap (900m) at Sandown and finishing seventh in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) during the autumn – a race he contested after failing to qualify for a run in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m).

Moody said he is happy with how the son of Choisir has returned this preparation and is confident he can be a contender against a strong field of three-year-olds this weekend.

“He has done very well,” Moody told Racing Ahead on RSN.

“He trialed nicely up here at home over the past month and he worked terrific over the course proper on Tuesday morning at Caulfield.

“He is in great shape and ready to run very well first go.”

Il Cavallo has drawn the tricky outside barrier and although Moody doesn’t believe it will be a major factor over 1100 metres, he would still like to see the three-year-old settle in the middle of the field so there is no repeat of his over racing effort in the Kindergarten Stakes.

“I would rather see him settle, he came from off them when he won well at Sandown,” the premiership winning trainer said.

“At Randwick he got left in front, fired up with a big crowd, didn’t know how to handle it and ran himself into the ground.”

Il Cavallo has been nominated for the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) but Moody believes the speedy colt is more likely to contest the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on September 7 and the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on Victoria Derby Day.

Moody is chasing his second victory in the Coolmore Stud Stakes having won the race with Headway in 2009.