Trainer Grahame BeggĀ has eyes set on a Group 1 race in Brisbane with Cardinal GemĀ after his explosive win at Sandown.
The deteriorating Sandown track held no fears forĀ the geldingĀ who raced to a comprehensive win in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) on Saturday.
Showers throughout Saturday downgraded the track from a Slow 5 to a Heavy 8 following the running of the Victoria Handicap, conditions favourable for Cardinal Gem.
A well-backed $3 betr.com.au favourite under Jordan Childs, Cardinal Gem raced to a 2-Ā¼ length win from Frankie Pinot ($14) with Lady Of Honour ($11) a short-half-head away third.
Begg said the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June was the race he has in mind for Cardinal Gem,Ā butĀ first heĀ mustĀ work out a program on how to getĀ the geldingĀ there.
āIāve always liked him a lot and I reckon thereās a decent race in him,ā Begg said.
āWe know at home what he can do on the track, heās got a great turn of foot, but he just needs things to work to his advantage.
āWe picked this race out months ago, and said, āthis is his raceā and it set him up beautifully today.
āHis rating should go up and weāll head to Brisbane.ā
Begg said the Listed Anniversary Stakes (1400m) back at Sandown on April 29 was a possibility for Cardinal Gem ahead of a trip to Brisbane.
āWeāve just got to work that out,ā Begg said.
āThereās another race in a fewĀ weeksā time, itās back here over 1400,Ā soĀ whether we go to that or whether we just back off slightly and organise our trip to Brisbane.
āBut I think he deserves a shot at one of those big races.
āItās a $3 million race that Stradbroke and I think heāll be well-suited in it.ā
Childs said maturity had been the best friend of Cardinal Gem.
He said early in the geldingās career, Cardinal Gem would jump slowly and get into awkward spots.
āHeās a lot more professional, he jumps well, puts himself in good spots,ā Childs said.
āHeās really tough, heās got a good action and he just seems to find another length in wet ground.ā