Trainer John Sargent is convinced Gust Of Wind is on target for the Cups and the Australian Oaks winner will be out to show that in the Group One Turnbull Stakes.
Gust Of Wind will work the Melbourne way of going in Sydney on Wednesday morning and then travel south that night to run in Sunday’s Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
The four-year-old mare got her first experience racing at the home of the Melbourne Cup when she turned in a pleasing performance second-up in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) earlier this month, finishing less than two lengths from the winner Fawkner in eighth.
“That was a great run. She’s on the upward spiral,” Sargent said.
“She’s physically very strong and working accordingly so whatever she does on Sunday she should keep improving and be peaking for Cup time.”
Sargent has the Melbourne Cup (3200m) as the main aim for Gust Of Wind but said the mare would also run in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) after the Turnbull Stakes because she is well weighted with 51kg.
Craig Williams rides Gust Of Wind in the Turnbull but he is booked to ride Japanese horse Hokko Brave in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups so Gust Of Wind would need a new rider.
Sargent said no-one has been booked for either Cup yet.
“If she runs well, they’ll be all after the ride,” he said.
“So we’re just playing it by ear at the moment.”
Sargent expects the way Sunday’s Turnbull is run over 2000m will determine whether the staying mare can be in the finish.
“If they run hard and she gets a clean run at them, she’ll be finishing strongly for sure,” he said.
“Whether she’s got the speed to be right there in the finish if it’s run slowly is another story, but if it’s a stamina test she’ll be right there.”
Alpine Eagle if the early Turnbull Stakes favourite ahead of acceptances on Wednesday with Gust Of Wind at $21.
Sargent said the plan with stablemate Thunder Lady, who is nominated for several races at weekend, was to head to Friday’s Benalla Cup.
