Peter Robl admits I Am Lexus ‘didn’t really show much’ when he first arrived at his Randwick stables, but the trainer is filled with optimism ahead of the three-year-old’s second preparation.
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I Am Lexus will kick off his preparation when Robl brings the promising gelding to Kembla Grange on Thursday afternoon to contest the Duck Creek Dash Maiden Plate (1000m).
“He has come back really well,” Robl said.
“We have him him a couple of pretty relaxed trials and he has gone good in them which has been nice to see.”
I Am Lexus started his maiden preparation at Kembla Grange before Robl sent him to Scone to contest the 2YO Inglis Challenge.
He finished mid-field in both runs during the campaign which Robl learned some valuable lessons about his son of I Am Invincible.
"It didn't really show us much early doors because he was a bit on the small side but once we put the blinkers on him that really put his mind on the job," Robl said.
"He over-raced a bit when he ran at Scone so we've taken the blinkers off now.”
Jockey Blake Shinn should be able to provide I Am Lexus with the gun run from barrier three in his first-up run.
“We will probably take a sit albeit in a small field,” Robl said.
“It is Kembla Grange so there will hopefully a couple in there that will probably roll along.
“It will be up to Blake [Shinn] where he lands.”
I Am Lexus was a $3 favourite with the TAB late on Wednesday afternoon.
Robl plans to use the run as a stepping stone to metropolitan racing but had no firm plans for I Am Lexus.
“Hopefully we can get him through his grades and get him into the city over the summer to snag a win with him,” he said.
“We will probably just poke around with him for a bit, but we aren’t making any grand plans with him at this stage.”
Robl also has Call Me Tess in the Five Islands Class 1 Handicap (1000m), with Brenton Avdulla booked to ride.
The former Victorian is having her first run for Robl after being transferred from Tim Hughes three months ago.
Call Me Tess featured in a Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes and Group 3 Crown Resorts Plate at the same time last year, but has arrived at Robl’s stable without a placing since then.
Robl has given the mare two trials ahead of her first-up run.
Race one of the eight event card jumps at 1.15pm at the Illawarra Turf Club.
Entry is free to the track on the afternoon.
