John Thompson expects a fitter Destruction to improve sharply when he steps out at Randwick on Saturday.

The talented three-year-old colt was well-beaten in his seasonal return in the Heritage Stakes two weeks ago but will be out to turn it around in the Group Two Roman Consul Stakes (1200m).

The Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington next month is the colt's spring target.

"I just think he's an on-pace horse and got a bit too far back the other day," Thompson said of Destruction's sixth to Ichihara.

"But in saying that, with the run under his belt he'll improve out of sight."

Christian Reith rides Destruction for the first time in a race on Saturday.

Thompson said he had been working on making the colt focus on the job at hand in his trackwork leading into the Roman Consul.

"We've got the work into him and just concentrated on making him hit the line," Thompson said.

"When he goes past his workmates he would always float a bit, so we've just been making sure he hits the line."

Destruction won his only two starts last season, defeating Kabayan on debut at Rosehill in May before heading to Brisbane to win the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1200m) on a heavy track.

Heritage Stakes winner Ichihara is the $1.75 favourite with TAB fixed odds ahead of Your Song at $4.20.

Destruction is at $12 in a field which has been reduced to six runners after the scratching of Royal Rada.