Trainer Jason Warren has been thrilled with the form and results posted by Puritan through his short racing career so far, and is confident the three-year-old is ready to step up in Saturday’s Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m).

Puritan stamped his claims as a horse to follow when charging home to post a near three length victory in the Growmaster Sale Maiden Plate (1100m) on debut on August 30^th, but was undoubtedly most impressive when absolutely savaging the line for a close fourth in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) in his only other competitive start so far on September 12^th.

Warren was pleased with the Beneteau gelding’s ability to adapt to the straight course at Flemington in the Danehill Stakes, and is confident a return to a curved track and step-up to 1400m will play a key role in the horse’s return to the winner’s circle in the 2015 Caulfield Guineas Prelude.

“There weren’t many horses to make ground in that race and he came from well back,” Warren told Racing Ahead.

“He was sort of put in a pocket for the best part of the race so I thought the way he finished off was excellent for a horse that was new down the straight and only second straight.

“Back to a turning track over 1400m, he’s in it up to his ears on Saturday. I think there’s going to be few horses that can progress to the next level and he’s going to be one of those.”

Warren is hopeful Puritan will continue to improve in stepping up in distance and has underlined the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) as the hopeful next point of call following his third run on Saturday.

“I can see him settling probably mid-field and he’s a horse that’s going to need a bit of galloping room so if Jake (Noonan) can get him to the outside once they straighten I think you’ll get to see the brilliant turn of foot he’s got,” Warren said.

“He’s a horse still on the way up, his confidence is high at the moment and he’s very progressive.

“I’m hoping he can run a mile and we’ll end up in a really nice race with him.”

Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best 2015 Caulfield Guineas Prelude odds, for which Puritan can be taken at a particularly generous quote of $15 for success or $4.70 to finish in the first three.