Trainer Nigel Blackiston is confident that the undefeated Desert Wizard is good enough to be competitive when he steps up in class to contest the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley this afternoon.

Desert Wizard will make his debut at Group 2 level in the Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley this afternoon. Photo by: Race Horse Photos

Desert Wizard has been flawless in his racing career thus far, recording wins at Kyneton and Flemington during the autumn before returning to the races with a comfortable victory in the TAB.Com.Au Handicap (1400m) at Cranbourne last Wednesday.

The lightly-raced four-year-old will face a much tougher field in the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes but Blackiston is confident that the son of Golan is up to the challenge and is looking forward to seeing where he stacks up against the leading 2013 Spring Racing Carnival contenders like Super Cool, Fiorente and Happy Trails.

“He has trained on super,” Blackiston told Sky Racing HQ.

“The good thing about this horse is that we don’t know how good that he is.

“Today will give us a nice guide and test as to where we measure up as we head towards the rest of the spring.

“He is doing everything comfortably and he has a lot of upside, development and improvement in him.

“The horse has definitely got above average ability and hopefully I am right and he can run in the first four.”

Blackiston is expecting the Group 2 event to be run at a quck pace and believes that Desert Wizard will get a lovely run into the race from barrier four with Michael Walker on board.

“Ajeeb will go forward and so will Spacecraft, he will lead no matter what Spacecraft, so there will be good genuine speed.

“I can see us settling about fifth or sixth.”

Blackiston is chasing his first victory at Group 2 level since Littorio’s famous victory in the 2011 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).