Matt Laurie gives Moir Stakes contender Coleman a look at The Valley before $1m race

Matt Laurie decided against running Coleman in the Carlyon Stakes but the exciting colt had a crucial look at The Valley before his Group 1 assignment early next month.

Mornington trainer Matt Laurie decided to bypass Saturday’s Carlyon Stakes with Golden Slipper runner-up Coleman but a feature at The Valley remains his focus.

Coleman was one of two three-year-olds nominated for the $175,000 along with early favourite Bold Bastille but Laurie decided to wait until the Group 1 Moir Stakes on September 7 for the colt’s return to racing.

• Early Oil tips for The Valley: $18 value bet in the last

“He’s going to trial on Monday next week at Cranbourne,” Laurie said.

However, Laurie took the chance to give Coleman a look at The Valley circuit on Tuesday morning with jockey Mark Zahra in the saddle.

Coleman, who last raced when third in the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes in Sydney in April, worked over 800m in 54.91sec in the hitout.

Laurie said getting Coleman used to The Valley, including the construction site on the home turn, was imperative ahead of his first test against older horses in the Moir Stakes.

Impressive colt Coleman earned more than $1m for connections in an outstanding two-year-old season. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

“I was happy enough. He had a good look down the straight but that’s why we were there,” Laurie said.

“I just thought I’d take a good opportunity, come up here and get him used to it.

“There’s obviously a lot going on at the top of the bend there.

“But I was happy with how he went.”

• $41 shot to show plenty of Zest at The Valley

Laurie said Coleman had matured somewhat during his time away but was still not the finished article despite banking more than $1 million in his six two-year-old outings.

“He’s a bit more relaxed this time around but I think that will hold him in good stead stepping up into higher company,” Laurie said.

“He’s developed a bit more but I still think there’s more to come to be honest.”

Coleman is an $8 chance in TAB’s Moir Stakes betting behind the $3.50 favourite Estriella.

Originally published as Matt Laurie gives Moir Stakes contender Coleman a look at The Valley before $1m race