Racing: Brilliant gallop prepares colt for Stakes

MELBOURNE - Trainer Greg Eurell is wasting no time getting a line on lightly-raced colt Morfontaine for the spring.

Eurell was initially planning a midweek assault at Sandown with the Caulfield Guineas prospect but a strong workout last weekend convinced him to launch from a higher platform in tomorrow's Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.

"I had him nominated for Sandown but he worked brilliantly so we might as well have a go at a stronger race," Eurell said last night.

Morfontaine has been placed at his only two starts when a close second at Geelong in February and third in the listed Festival Of Racing Stakes in March to Common Interest and Starspangledbanner who are again among his rivals tomorrow.

"He did a really good job last time in and he's come back well from a good spell," Eurell said.

Morfontaine tuned up for his first-up assignment with a Cranbourne trial win over another Vain contender, Orinoco, who is having only his second start after finishing fifth in the colts and geldings Blue Diamond Preview in January.

Eurell said there was still improvement in Morfontaine.

"He is very genuine and we have nominated him for the Caulfield Guineas."

- AAP