Top Sydney trainer Chris Waller has nominated four horses for the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m), running at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday, however it’s not certain that all four will accept for the final field on Wednesday.

Preferment is one of four colts nominated by Chris Waller for the Hobartville Stakes. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.

Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) winner Preferment is Waller’s highest rated nominee, however the colt’s start is not guaranteed. He has already had two barrier trials in the past month ahead of an autumn campaign that will be aimed at improving his Group One record. A decision on his run will be made later in the week.

Waller’s other three Hobartville Stakes nominations include Delectation, Harrier Jet, and Kermadec, who were all last seen running second, third, and fourth in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m).

Delectation and Kermadec are both dually nominated for the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, a decision on where they run will made after Waller studies nominations for both races.

“Preferment is still a bit soft,” Waller told Sky Racing.

“If I’m confident he is fit for the mile he would go straight to the Randwick Guineas.

“If he runs in the Hobartville, Jason Collett will ride him.

“I will have a good look at the nominations and decide whether to split the horses up and send a couple to Melbourne.”

A total of 17 three-year-olds declared their interest in the 2015 Hobartville Stakes when nominations closed on Monday morning, including Hallowed Crown.

The Bart & James Cummings-trained colt won the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) in the spring before finishing second in the Group 2 Roman Consul (1200m).

Hallowed Crown returned to track work on February 2, enjoying a hit out that saw him produce good acceleration.

“He has only had one trial so he needed a good work-out,” co-trainer James Cummings said.

“We are very happy with him and the Hobartville is a good foundation for the Randwick Guineas two weeks later.”

The Hobartville Stakes is considered a good lead-up race to the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) two weeks later on March 7. Five of the past winners of the Guineas came via the Hobartville, with Dissident and Ilovethiscity completing the double.

Other talented colts nominated for the Hobartville Stakes include Gai Waterhouse’s Group One winner Hampton Court, Eskimo Prince Stakes winner Scissor Kick, and the John O’Shea-trained Sweynesse.