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By Ray Hickson

Trainer David Atkins is taking a long term view into unbeaten colt Promitto’s return in Saturday’s Group 3 $200,000 Furphy San Domenico Stakes (1100m), hoping he can leave Rosehill with a live Golden Rose contender.

Trainer David Atkins (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The Newcastle trainer is, of course, no stranger to unearthing a smart horse with a CV including the likes of Moss Rocket, Impaler and Jonker and he feels Promitto, in time, has the potential to be in that conversation.

Atkins resisted the temptation to press on to the Golden Slipper after his easy Skyline Stakes win back in February, where he made it two from two, and is confident it will prove the right call.

“I always thought he’d be a better three-year-old,’’ he said.

“I’ve seen so many horses that run in Slippers that don’t come back. They don’t aim up as a three-year-old. I’d rather have him as an older horse.

“He’s a fairly tall horse but he wasn’t overly strong, he’s filled out now.”

It’s been a month since Promitto’s only public trial but new jockey Nash Rawiller took the opportunity to partner him in an exhibition gallop at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago.

Promitto, $13 with TAB on Friday, has been nominated for a number of spring features at varying distances but Atkins said his first target is the Group 1 $1m Golden Rose (1400m) next month.

So he’s not putting any pressure on the result of the San Domenico but does want to see the horse prove himself against a strong bunch of early three-year-olds.

“If he runs up to his best for a first-up run he would be a great chance,’’ he said.

“He’s going to get a decent run from where he’s drawn. He’s a lovely relaxed horse, he doesn’t pull at all, he’s almost a perfect animal.

“I’ve got no doubts he will run 2000m, eventually. He is not fazed by anything, he’s very laid back.

“He’s a bit different to the other good ones I’ve had. Moss Rocket, Impaler were just fast horses and brilliant trackworkers whereas this bloke is just happy to cruise around.

“On race day when the rider revs him up a bit he gets going then and finishes his races off very strong.

“If he runs a good race I’m happy, he doesn’t need to win for me to be happy.”

San Domenico favourite Best Of Bordeaux shares the top line of Golden Rose all-in betting with TAB at $6 alongside Fireburn, Promitto sits on the $15 line.

Meanwhile, Godolphin trainer James Cummings says Spacewalk has to go up a notch from his narrow first-up defeat at the hands of Zoukerino in the Rosebud two weeks ago but has made the necessary improvement fitness wise.

"He's a horse really heading in the right direction."
Skyline Stakes winner Promitto gallops between races at @newcastleraces_ on Thursday. Listen in for @nashhot's comments after the David Atkins-trained unbeaten three-year-old's hitout. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/oBfHPrOUmu

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 11, 2022

Spacewalk looked to have the race in his keeping but proved quite wayward in the last 100m and was outgunned near the line.

“We feel he’s tightened nicely from that first-up run,’’ Cummings said.

“The run was excellent without winning, but now he’s coming up against even stronger opposition.

“I think the horse is going to need to have gone ahead, but he’s flying, so it’s going to be an interesting test for the horse.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill Gardens meeting