Caulfield trainer Mick Price has decided to target the Inglis Millenium first-up in February in Sydney with brilliant two-year-old colt Profiteer.
And Price has also decided to miss the autumn carnival with his exciting three-year-old gelding Ayrton.
Price said on RSN radio on Monday morning that they had devised an ambitious plan with Profiteer to run first-up in the $2 million Inglis Millenium (1100m) at Warwick Farm on February.
Then he would return to Melbourne and run in the $1.5 million Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield a fortnight later.
Profiteer, from the first crop of boom stallion Capitalist, created a big impression when he won his debut at Flemington defeating the highly rated Ranveer by 2 3/4 lengths over 1100m on December 12.
“There's not many $2 million races around so it's worth a shot at and then we'll get him back here for the Blue Diamond.”
Profiteer is second favourite at $9 with TAB fixed odds to win the $1.5 million Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield behind Enthaar at $4.
“He's a raw and long and needs to fill out. He'll have six weeks off and we'll give him the chance to furnish,” Price said.
Price said he would aim Ayrton at the Queensland carnival and a race such as the Queensland Guineas before bringing him back to Melbourne for the spring.
“He's going to be a lovely horse and I don't want to cut him short by getting him back quickly for autumn three-year-old races. Physically he's not ready yet,” he said.
He said Ayrton's owners, the Roll The Dice Syndicate, had decided they would reject any lucrative Hong Kong offers for him and would continue to race him.
In his two starts, Ayrton has created a big impression winning his debut at Bendigo in Maiden Grade by five lengths and then his next start at Caulfield last Saturday by four lengths.
“He's a Group horse coming. What sort of Group One race he can win I'm not sure. I'm hoping he'll be a 2000 metres horse and I'd love to bang him in a Cox Plate,” Price said.
TAB fixed odds have installed him as a $51 chance in the 2021 Cox Plate.