After hitting the line strongly in his season return in the Group One Moir Stakes at The Valley, Stradbroke Handicap winner Trekking is favourite to win the Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield and be offered a spot in the $14 million The Everest.
The Melbourne Racing Club will offer its slot in Saturday week’s The Everest at Randwick to the winner of Saturday’s Group Two Schillaci (1100m), with connections of the winner having until midway through Sunday to confirm whether they will accept the position.
The Godolphin-owned, James Cummings-trained Trekking heads the market for the Schillaci at $2.60.
“He’s still in The Everest picture, but we’ll take aim at the Schillaci first, see what happens and take it from there,” Trekking’s trainer James Cummings said.
“His run in the Moir was excellent. He finished eighth but was just over a length and a half from the winner and was finishing off beautifully.”
Godolphin also has a slot in The Everest. An announcement which horse will take that spot has yet to be made.
The Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley later in October is also among the spring options for Trekking after Saturday.
“This looks an ideal race for Trekking on the way to the Manikato, should we take that option,” Cummings said.
Trekking is one of four Group One winners in Saturday’s nine-horse field along with New Zealand sprinter The Bostonian, Oakleigh Plate winner Booker and The Goodwood winner Despatch.
Five-year-old Trekking has raced three times at Caulfield before including winning the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) last spring.
Cummings will also run multiple stakes winner Viridine who also comes through the Moir Stakes in which he finished 11th.
Viridine has never raced at Caulfield but was taken to the course for a gallop on Tuesday morning.
“He’s done well since the Moir and has a definite chance,” Cummings said.