Stablemates Golden Path and Lastotchka take a step further into their spring campaigns when they step out at Caulfield. 

The Heatherlie Stakes will form an important stepping stone towards the Caulfield Cup for a pair of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained gallopers. 

Golden Path and Lastotchka run in the Listed 1700m race on Saturday with a view to both contesting the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on September 20. 

The Naturalism is a 'win and you're in' contest for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October. 

Golden Path has yet to race beyond 2000m, but Kent Jnr was encouraged by how the gelding shaped in his first start back following a spell when third over 1600m at Caulfield on August 16. 

"They dropped him at the top of the straight, they outsprinted him, then he stayed on and maintained his gallop through the line," Kent Jnr said. 

"He's done everything right since and he worked well on Tuesday. 

"Drawing a nice gate is key. He will be able to be in a good tactical position in a race where there are a lot of horse resuming and looking for further. 

"He's never been to a mile-and-a-half. We'd love to try it, and he looks as though he will get it. 

"The Caulfield Cup is a really hot race, but below that level there are some lovely races, like The Metropolitan up in Sydney and we know he goes well up there." 

Lastotchka will be first-up on Saturday, last racing in the Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick in April. 

The French-bred mare came to Australia for the 2023 Melbourne Cup, finishing 13th behind Without A Fight, then spent a year out of racing due to colic surgery. 

"You are never sure how well they come back from that," Kent Jnr said 

"We aimed everything at the Sydney Cup, and we got there on the day. 

"You have to run, it was the Grand Final, and they got a firm track which didn't suit her at all." 

Kent Jnr said Lastotchka had been galloping well for her return run and will enjoy any cut in the ground. 

But the co-trainer expects both Saturday's outing and the Naturalism will be too short for her. 

"I don't think we'll the best of her until she gets up in trip," Kent Jnr said.