AS YOU WILL IN LINE FOR 2000 GUINEAS

As You Will (3 g Mastercraftsman – Comme Tu Veux, by Howbaddouwantit) has shown his true colours in two starts as a three-year-old and put himself into reckoning for the $500,000 Al Basti Equiworld 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 11 November at Riccarton racecourse in Christchurch.

The easy-going grey gelding closed stylishly between runners for third in the fastest last 600m (35.2) on 6 October in the 3YO 1200 metres to Sumstreetsumwhere (Highly Recommended) and tracked the same horse home for second in the James & Annie Sarten Memorial (Gr. 2, 1400m) on Monday (Labour Day) at Te Rapa.

Both horses have understandably shortened in the market for the three-year-old classic, with Sumstreetsumwhere into third favourite ($9.00) and As You Will now at $18.00.

Trained by Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard at Matamata, As You Will was selected as a yearling by Paul Moroney, a $75,000 purchase from the draft of Mapperley Stud at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale.

“The plan is to head south for the 2000 Guineas in Christchurch, providing he does everything right in the meantime,” said co-trainer Pam Gerard.

“He ate up after his race, quite happy and trotted up well this morning.

“He was a big, strong colt but physically quite unbalanced when growing as a two-year-old. A decent spell and gelding has been the making of him.

“He’s obviously coming up very well this time in. He’s an eye-catching and attractive looking horse, strong, and mentally a lot better. He’s going in the right direction and got plenty of improvement in him.

“The mile at Riccarton will definitely suit him, the further the better as he’s got a lovely relaxed nature, which allows not too much to worry him, and should get over more ground as well.”

As You Will is the second foal from Comme Tu Veux, winner of the Ray Coupland Stakes (Listed, 1400m), who has since left a Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit) filly and due to foal to Pour Moi (Montjeu).