Multiple Group One winner Militarize will kick-off his spring preparation at Rosehill on Saturday when he lines-up in the Gr.2 Run To The Rose (1200m).

The Dundeel colt was sublime last preparation, winning the Gr.1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m) Gr.1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) in his last two outings.

Under the set weights and penalties conditions of the three-year-old feature, Militarize will carry topweight of 58.5kg and has drawn barrier seven in the field of 12.

“I wouldn’t be expecting him to win over 1200, but I think it’s a good stepping-stone towards the Golden Rose (Gr.1, 1400m) and Caulfield Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m), which I think is his race,” Waller said.

Militarize was bred by Jonathan Munz’s GSA Bloodstock Limited and is out of the British-bred mare Amerindia, who foaled Militarize at Haunui Farm in New Zealand after being sent across the Tasman to be served by Waikato Stud stallion Super Seth in the 2020 breeding season.

Waller’s New Zealand-bred Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) winner Kovalica is an early $4.80 favourite for the Gr.2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) and will be joined in the race by stablemates Madame Pommery ($8) and Waterford ($12).