Trainer Peter Morgan is confident that Sircconi will take plenty of benefit from his first-up run in Saturday’s Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.

Sircconi (inside) will take his place in Saturday's McKenzie Stakes field at The Valley. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Sircconi (inside) will take his place in Saturday’s McKenzie Stakes field at The Valley. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Sirconni stormed onto the Australian racing landscape through a short but impressive two-year-old campaign and won the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce (1400m) at only his third career start on March 11th; leading from start to finish to beat Aspect by a short head.

Having been sent to the paddock after finishing a gallant fourth in the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m) in Sydney on Day 1 of The Championships, Morgan is confident that a recent trip away from his Whittlesea base has sharpened up the Nicconi colt ahead of the McKenzie Stakes.

“Taking them away really tightens them up,” Morgan told AAP.

“They get a bit quiet at home but taking them away gives them an adrenaline rush.

“At home it’s the same routine and they don’t get stirred, so they need that trip away.

“He’s still a little bit underdone but he’s gone ahead in leaps and bounds since Cranbourne.

“He improved a lot at Sandown last week and has improved a lot again after Moonee Valley.”

Morgan has yet to confirm a path for the exciting three-year-old this season, but said that his run in Saturday’s McKenzie Stakes will likely have some weighting as to his major campaign target.

“When I bought him he was a big yearling and a lot of people steered off him,” Morgan said.

“I don’t think he’s grown, just got stronger.

“The 1200 metres (on Saturday) might be too short for him but I think he’ll run a nice race.”

Trialling well in the lead-up to his competitive debut, Sircconi clearly required the run when he tailed off to finish sixth in the Whiteman Property Plate (1000m) at The Valley on November 26th and was immediately sent to the paddock.

Not a lot was expected of the colt when he took his position in the Moorookyle Park Stud Handicap (1300m) upon resuming this year, but he was tough to the line to finish second behind Eshtiraak, in what was his only other start prior to the VRC Sires’ Produce.

Sircconi is currently available at 2017 McKenzie Stakes odds of $19 at Ladbrokes.com.au.

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Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.