‘Just Needs To Lead': Schillaci's Easter Goal 

VICTORIAN visitor Schillaci will be striving to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious equine namesake when he makes his Sydney debut in Saturday night's Group 1 Golden Easter Egg heats.

Named after the champion grey thoroughbred of the early 1990s, Schillaci is $2.70 favourite in the first of eight heats.

Winner of The Phoenix, the world's richest race, in his home state last December, Schillaci is $15 in All In betting.

FIELDS AND FORM WENTWORTH PARK SATURDAY NIGHT

The racehorse Schillaci, which was trained by Lee Freedman, was an eight-time winner at G1 level, including two Sydney autumn features, the 1992 Galaxy and 1993 George Ryder Stakes.

An impressive Wentworth Park trial from the canine Schillaci has encouraged Devon Meadows pizza proprietor Jihad Talgi his fairy tale ride can continue in NSW's most prestigious race.

Having his first look at Wentworth Park – as was his "overawed" trainer – Schillaci clocked a fast 29.70sec on March 2.

"He fumbled the start a bit but I was happy with his trial," Talgi said.

"He went quicker than any of the races on the same night.

"If he can find a couple of lengths on his first split he'll be right up there with them on Saturday.

"I'm very happy with box three. I like him going in first, it gives him more time to settle.

"The one (Zali Keeping) has got plenty of pace. It ran 29.52sec last Saturday and went 5.39sec early. It and the Daillys' dog, Shima Current (box 4), are the ones to worry about.

"If Schillaci gets to the front, I don't think they'll beat him. He just needs to lead."

Given Schillaci's front-running prowess, he'll be suited opening his Easter Egg assault on the fresh side.

The homebred son of 2020 Melbourne Cup winner Hard Style Rico and Flying Hareeba hasn't raced since a gallant bid to lead all-the-way in the G1 Australian Cup on February 24.

He was claimed in the shadows of the post by Easter Egg favourite Tim Zoo.

"I took him up to Sydney the week after the Australian Cup and then he had a full week off," Talgi explained.

"I trialled him over 400m at Geelong last week and he ran 22.28sec, which told me he's on track, and he went really well again in a box-to-box at Sandown yesterday (Tuesday).

"Being a three-week series, he only needs to run in the first four, so hopefully he can do that, have another look at the track, and keep improving each week."

Talgi's brave decision to knock back a $100,000 offer before Schillaci had raced was handsomely rewarded when claiming The Phoenix's $1 million winner's purse.

While the knockers have been lining up as he's been beaten in his subsequent seven runs; he's made a habit of silencing his critics.

"They said he couldn't win The Phoenix, they said he couldn't win the Australian Cup and he ran second, so hopefully he can win the Egg," Talgi said.

"People keep telling me he hasn't won since The Phoenix, but he's only been racing against Group dogs, he's run four seconds and I've only been disappointed in one of his runs."