After a successful spring campaign which included a Group Two win and a fourth in the Caulfield Cup, Lord Fandango will be put on a path to Group One races in the autumn.
Trainer Archie Alexander is looking to give the horse a trial in the next week.
The Ballarat trainer has pencilled in the Carlyon Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield on February 10 as the stayer’s 2018 return, with the Group One Sydney Cup (3200m) in April his ultimate aim.
Lord Fandango won the Benalla Cup (2046m) and Group Two Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) before his fourth in the $3 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) during a spring preparation in which he kept stepping up.
“I think he’ll keep doing that,” Alexander said.
“He’s done really well.
“He was beaten 1.3 lengths in the Caulfield Cup so I think he’s a real chance in a Group One.”
Lord Fandango was given a month off after the Caulfield Cup before starting the build-up for his next campaign.
“He’s just as good as ever and I’m very happy with him,” Alexander said.
Lord Fandango could get three chances to snare a Group One win during the autumn, with the Australian Cup (2000m), the BMW (2400m) and the Sydney Cup (3200m) in Alexander’s thoughts.
Lord Fandango was trained in England to two wins by ex-pat Jeremy Gask who has since returned to Australai.
The five-year-old now races for an OTI Racing syndicate.