Graeme Begg has his sights set on races later in the autumn with two of his spring campaigners.
Nonconformist and Lunar Flare commence their autumn campaigns in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday, a nice pipe-opener for the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) three weeks later.
“It’s a kick-off point for them. They’ve had two jump-outs each to start them off,” Begg said.
“We’re happy with where they are at then they’ve got three weeks to the Australian Cup.
“They’re not badly off under the conditions of the race. It will be a high-pressure race with Gentleman Roy and Tuvalu and Callsign Mav can go forward.
“They won’t be taking any prisoners and they are a bit fitter than our horses, so we’ll probably just lay away from their gates and be running on at the finish, if the backmarkers can come into it.
“So long as they’re finishing off, we’ll be delighted.”
Nonconformist has not raced since finishing tenth in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October where he had a tough run, covering ground.
Begg said he was afforded an extended spring break not racing on past that race and is being aimed at the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) next month.
Victory in the Mornington Cup provides the winner a ballot exemption into the Caulfield Cup.
Begg said the Mornington Cup being a few weeks later than when it is normally run has possibly helped Nonconformist who has had a steady build-up to his campaign.
“And if he’s going well and still up and about after the Mornington Cup, there’s still options to go to Brisbane for the Doomben Cup and the Q22 and then have a break in the warmer weather,” Begg said.
Lunar Flare won the Group 3 The Bart Cummings to gain a start in the Melbourne Cup last spring but was scratched with a lameness issue by Racing Victoria vets in a pre-race inspection.
Begg said the mare was given the all-clear by RV vets to resume following an inspection on Wednesday.
Begg said Lunar Flare may go to Sydney after the Australian Cup, however he doubted the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on April 8 would be on the agenda saying it would come around too soon.