Grahame BeggĀ will have dual representation in the Group 1 Australian Cup with NonconformistĀ and Lunar FlareĀ set to run at Flemington.
The pair will relish the rise to 2000m on Saturday after having their return runs in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on March 4.
Nonconformist scored a surprise win while Lunar FlareĀ gotĀ to the line nicely in the final stages, winding up in seventh place.
Begg was pleasantly surprised with Nonconformist’s victory.
“Getting on the good track helped himĀ as did theĀ set weightsĀ and penalties,” Begg said.
“It will be a different story at weight-for-age, but he has performed well at weight-for-ageĀ before andĀ at 2000 metres.”
Prior to hisĀ second-place finish behind Incentivise in the 2021 Caulfield Cup, Nonconformist was beaten a nose byĀ ProbabeelĀ in theĀ Group 1Ā MightĀ AndĀ PowerĀ Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.
Begg said wet tracks thwarted Nonconformist’s campaign in the spring and it was a planned decision to send the gelding for a spell straight after finishing 10thĀ in the Caulfield Cup.
He said the All-Star Mile, run at Moonee Valley on Saturday, was never on the radar.
“We stopped him after the Caulfield Cup to give him the opportunity to come up nice and well for the Australian Cup,” Begg said.
“The All-StarĀ Mile was never going to be his race,Ā even though he has good form at Moonee Valley.
“He won the Alister Clark there and he ran fourth in the Feehan,Ā and had no luck, but the profile of theĀ All-Star MileĀ would never have suited him.”
While Nonconformist would be the pick of his two runners,Ā at this stage, Begg said he would not be surprised if Lunar Flare was around the money at the finish.
“She did run well first-up. She was smoking up there late,” Begg said.
“She likesĀ Flemington,Ā and she canĀ be a big improver. I would never be surprised with what she can do.”
Begg said JordanĀ ChildsĀ ridesĀ Nonconformist while Michael Dee would again partner Lunar Flare.
