Fiorente ready for 1800m first-up: Oliver

Tuesday 18 February 2014, 5:58pm

Three exhibition gallops, a Randwick barrier trial and some pleasing trackwork has Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente primed for his race return at Caulfield.

Jockey Damien Oliver will partner the import in the Group Two Peter Young Stakes over 1800m on Saturday and has no concerns over the Gai Waterhouse-trained star resuming over the extended distance.

"He has come back really well. He's thriving," Oliver said.

"He seems to really like it down here in Melbourne.

"I don't think 1800 metres first-up will be a problem. I think it's a good trip for him."

Fiorente had two exhibition gallops and a barrier trial in Sydney before heading to Melbourne.

The six-year-old worked between races with Manfred Stakes-winning stablemate Bull Point at Flemington last Saturday.

Saturday's weight-for-age contest is the first of two planned Melbourne appearances for Fiorente before he returns to Sydney.

The Melbourne Cup winner was one of 19 first acceptors taken on Tuesday for the Group One Australian Cup (2000m) on March 8.

Oliver will also be on three-year-old Bull Point in Saturday's Group One Futurity Stakes (1400m).

The jockey went close to winning the weight-for-age CF Orr Stakes on another three-year-old Eurozone on February 8 and is confident Bull Point is up to the task.

Bull Point is also among 20 three-year-olds left in the Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday week after first declarations on Tuesday.

CS Hayes Stakes winner Hucklebuck, Cox Plate winner Shamus Award and Victoria Derby winner Polanski are also among the top gallopers still in the Australian Guineas along with Saturday's impressive Vanity Stakes winner Solicit.

Solicit is the only filly in Australian Guineas contention.

There are 30 horses remaining in the Group One Newmarket Handicap on March 8 including last year's winner Shamexpress, but Saturday's Lightning Stakes winner Snitzerland was not paid up for at the latest declaration stage on Tuesday.

– AAP

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