It’s far from D-Day for Satirical Glory’s Australian Derby prospects at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, but trainer John Sargent would like to see the three-year-old make a positive start to his campaign.

While Sargent expects the First Justify Yearlings Handicap (1400m) to be short of Satirical Glory’s best trip, he said the groundwork has been done to run well fresh.

The gelding was rested with a Derby tilt in mind after he ran fourth behind Profondo in the group 1 Spring Champion Stakes in October.

“He ran really well and, with extra time now, he should be up with the big guys when he gets to the distance or further,” he said.

“I didn’t take him to Melbourne because sometimes they don’t go on when you take them down there and I thought a break would do him good.

“The further he gets out in distance the better, but he’s a lot stronger than in the spring.”

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It took Satirical Glory until he reached a mile at his third race to start to break through but, as the winner of one race in five starts, Sargent is wary of the need to perform early in weaker company.

He does meet another lightly raced Derby aspirant in Benaud, which ran fifth in the Spring Champion.