A Caulfield Cup audition awaits talented import Jet Away in the Group Three Easter Cup on Saturday.
Jet Away created a big impression with a slashing Australian debut to win the Golden Mile at Bendigo two weeks ago.
And another impressive showing at Caulfield should boost his rating enough to help lock in a Caulfield Cup start during the spring.
It will also go a long towards covering expenses for his owners.
“It’s a $150,000 Group Three and he’ll sort of pay for himself pretty well if he wins that,” trainer David Hayes said.
“And it will get his rating up high enough to mean he’ll probably be guaranteed a start in the Caulfield Cup. He’s already qualified it’s just a matter of getting his rating up.
“We also want to have a look at Caulfield to see how he handles the track.”
A Listed winner and Group placegetter in England, Jet Away came from second last in the Golden Mile (1600m) in his Australian debut to win by 1-1/4 lengths.
Hayes is wary of the second-up syndrome stepping to 200m but said all the signs were that Jet Away had held his form well.
“It’s pretty hard to say he’ll be better, it was a pretty good win last start,” Hayes said.
“But I just hope second-up is not a factor.
“He hasn’t left a grain and his work is exactly what it was going into the last one.”
Hayes also has Whisper Downs in the Easter Cup but Jet Away, the $3 favourite, is considered the stable’s leading chance.
Whisper Downs has been in work since last July and is backing up after a strong win over the same course and distance last Saturday.
“He’s come through that run well so I thought it was worth a try at his favourite track,” Hayes said.
Jet Away is one of three early favourites for Hayes on the Caulfield card along with fellow import Goldoni in the first event and Australian Derby aspirant Bass Strait in the final race over 2000m.