Jockey Craig Newitt couldn’t be happier ahead of the autumn return of Mick Price’s Victoria Derby winner Tarzino after partnering the Australian Guineas 2016 bound youngster in a track gallop on Tuesday morning.

Victoria Derby winner Tarzino trials at Geelong on Monday ahead of his 2016 CF Orr Stakes return on February 13 at Caulfield. Photo: Steve Hart.

As well as winning Australia Day’s Listed John Dillon Stakes in an upset aboard the Price-trained Mighty Like, the strong gallop of three-year-old Tavistock colt Tarzino also had Newitt excited ahead of the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival majors.

“Tarzino is going really good, I galloped him this morning. He’s a lot bigger, a lot stronger, a lot more colty,” Newitt told The Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday.

A winner of three of his six career starts to date, young Tarzino has already amassed over $1 million in prize money thanks to his two length romp in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) last Melbourne Cup Carnival with Newitt aboard.

Newitt has ridden the progressive staying type in all six of his runs so far and will continue his association with the top level winner when he resumes in the $500,000 Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield Racecourse on February 13.

Before his first-up run, Tarzino will perform in an official trial at Geelong next Monday.

Newitt chases his second Orr Stakes success following his winning ride on Lee Freedman’s $10 shot Perfect Promise a decade ago.

Local horseman Price, who prepared 2008 CF Orr Stakes winner Shinzig, then plans to target the $750,000 Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) over the Flemington mile on Saturday March 5 with Tarzino.

“I think he has definitely improved with the growth under his belt,” Newitt added.

“He goes Monday I think to the Geelong trials. He runs in the Orr Stakes first up, then the Australian Guineas second up and then [heads to] Sydney.”

Price trained back-to-back Australian Guineas winners with Light Fantastic (2008) and Heart Of Dreams (2009) and so chases his third win in the three-year-olds’ autumn classic as does Newitt who was aboard both of those gallopers.

2016 Australian Guineas nominations closed on Tuesday and attracted 110 three-year-olds.

Tarzino is one of five early entries for Price along with Celtic Tiger, Ready For Victory, Sailing By and Prince Of Brooklyn.

All-in Australian Guineas odds at Ladbrokes.com.au are led by Group 1 winning Perth filly Perfect Reflection and Kiwi raider Xtravagant at $7.

Tarzino is rated an $11 chance with Caulfield Guineas third placegetter Ready For Victory ($34) the next best fancied of Price’s hopefuls.

To check out the full futures Australian Guineas betting markets and back your early favourites at the right price visit Ladbrokes.com.au today!