The Cindy Alderson-trained Sea Galleon kicks off his campaign on Saturday ahead of a shot at Caulfield Cup qualification.
The five-year-old is chasing his fourth straight win in the Listed Reaan Plate (2000m), which is a lead-up to his next start in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on Wednesday week.
The winner of the Mornington Cup gains automatic entry into the $1.5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m).
Since being gelded, Sea Galleon has won four of his six starts and completed a hat-trick when he won the Christmas Cup (2400m) at his latest appearance at Rosehill eight weeks ago on December 10.
“He’s put on the weight he lost on the Sydney trip and he looks really well,” said Alderson, who co-trains her team with her father Colin who won the 1999 Caulfield Cup with Sky Heights.
“Obviously he’s coming back to 2000 metres after a bit of a break and I think he’ll improve on whatever he does on Saturday.
“He’s heading towards the Mornington Cup.
“After that we might think about Sydney.
“We might look for anywhere there is a bit of cut in the ground for him, so that’ll be the hardest problem with him.”
However, Alderson believes Sea Galleon is still a campaign away from full maturity.
“I think he’ll be a good horse. I think in six months he’ll furnish out more,” she said.
“He’s only small, I kept him a colt and he’s been a bit light but hopefully he’ll be better for a preparation.”
Ben Melham will ride the 2010 South Australian Derby placegetter, while Glen Boss will pilot stablemate Montgomery in the same event.
“Montgomery probably wants a bit of cut in the ground as well,” Alderson said.
“He’s got a few options because he really likes Moonee Valley.
“He’s got two night races I’m hoping to run him in.”
Those are the Listed Moonee Valley Night Cup (2500m) on February 24 and the Night Racing Stayers Challenge Final (3000m) on March 23.
“Montgomery is a more seasoned horse than Sea Galleon and the Sydney Cup is a chance for him,” Alderson said.
“But they’ll both probably be entered for it and we’ll play it by ear.
“The BMW is an option for Sea Galleon, even though weight-for-age might be a bit hard for him, because it has tended to fall away in recent years.”
Six-year-old Montgomery posted wins at Cranbourne and Sandown last spring and will strip fitter for his first-up run when unplaced behind Bolton over 1700m at Flemington on January 21.
The Big Steel is the $3.80 race favourite with TAB Sportsbet ahead of Bolton at $4.20.
Sea Galleon and Royal Mail are at $5 while Montgomery is the second outsider of the 10-horse field at $41.
The Caulfield track was rated a dead four on Thursday.
AAP TURF
