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McDonald taking time with Acid Wash
It's no surprise Jamie Kah labelled Acid Wash a horse with a big future after she piloted him to a ridiculously easy Cranbourne maiden win when he was eased down and still prevailed by six lengths.
The grey three-year-old gelding's form has since been franked as the horse he defeated, Vilnius, subsequently won a Geelong maiden.
Kah pointed out that he felt like a big baby and his trainer Clinton McDonald is also treating him as a work in progress.
McDonald has Acid Wash entered for Pakenham on Thursday night and The Valley on Saturday, with the decision as to where the galloper heads to be based on which assignment he believes is easier.
"We'll have a look at the barriers and the field and choose the better race for him," McDonald said.
McDonald said Acid Wash is a horse who is going to be a high-quality galloper, but he needs time to develop.
"I want to keep his confidence up as he's still learning his craft," McDonald said.
McDonald said although Acid Wash led last start, he thinks he is a galloper who in the future could be adaptable in his races.
"I think he's one of those horses who can be adaptable and be capable of settling back or forward," he said. "We're just teaching him at the moment and I think he's going the right way.
"At his last start, over the last 600 metres he clicked up through his gears and he put paid to them in the manner of a good horse. "
Although the Australian Guineas is six weeks away, McDonald thinks he's done enough for this campaign.
"We've got a plan in our head to get him to Queensland as he's been in work for a long time. We'll monitor those big three-year-old races though but in terms of how long he's been in, it (Australian Guineas) might be a bridge too far.
"We might give him a freshen up and look at Queensland and wintering him up there."
McDonald's talented mare Flying On A Limb will resume at The Valley on Saturday and he is looking for her to graduate to get some black type in her pedigree over the Autumn Carnival
