Cobblertothestars may take on Group One company in the near future, but it’s his longer-term prospects that has his Riccarton trainer Les Didham most excited.

The son of Jimmy Choux has only raced twice and he will take on his second black type challenge when he steps up to a mile next time out in the Listed Zacinto Stakes at Riccarton on Saturday week.

“He’s always showed us plenty of ability and he’s a big horse at 16.2 hands so he’s going to be even better in the autumn,” Didham said.

While he is keen on Cobblertothestars’ Gr.1 New Zealand Derby prospects, he could yet front up in the Gr.1 Sothys New Zealand 2000 Guineas.

“He is going to be much better over a distance, but he’s a smart horse and the owner is keen on the Guineas so we’ll see what happens,” Didham said.

“They’ve been offered a bit of money for him, but they want to keep him.”

Bred and raced by the Mooney family of Christchurch, Cobblertothestars finished fourth behind the talented filly Zigwig in the Listed Champagne Stakes at Riccarton in his only appearance last season.

He finished a tidy fourth over 1400 metres when resuming this term, again on his home track, after an interrupted build-up.

“He’d only had an 800 metre trial and I’d had a bit of trouble with his feet so he’d missed a bit of work and he badly needed that run,” Didham said.

Cobblertothestars has been ridden in both his starts by Chris Johnson, who is also keen on the gelding’s prospects when he gets over more ground.

“Chris really likes him and wants to stick with the horse,” Didham said.