Three horses who broke their maidens in separate races at Sandown on Wednesday are set to be aimed at Group One races interstate.
The connections of Bikila, Black Velveteen and Redasun all harbour loftier ambitions for their respective charges following impressive midweek victories.
The Pat Carey-trained Bikila holds a nomination for the ATC Australian Derby at Randwick while Black Velveteen and Redasun could head to the Adelaide carnival in May.
Carey, who trained Ethiopia to win the 2012 Australian Derby as a maiden, praised jockey Chad Schofield for squeezing Bikila through a narrow gap to set the horse up for victory.
“He’s got a few behavioural issues,” Carey said of Bikila.
“His mental attitude isn’t right but the boys who ride him work at home have done a great job.”
While Carey said there was still a lot of work to be done to get Bikila to the Derby, Mick Kent has had the South Australian Oaks in mind for Black Velveteen for some time.
Having just her second start, Black Velveteen came from the tail of the field to score a convincing win in a 1400m maiden and Kent said the filly would appreciate a distance rise.
“We’re hopeful that she might make an Adelaide Oaks filly,” Kent said.
“She really wants a trip and I’m looking forward to getting her out over 10 furlongs (2000m) and further.”
Three-year-old filly Redasun covered ground before racing away for an impressive 1600-metre win against her own age and sex and she could also be bound for the South Australian Oaks.
Jockey Craig Williams said Redasun, who was having her fifth start, was progressing well and had scope to improve.
“If she goes the right way she could be a South Australian Oaks filly,” Williams said.
Both Black Velveteen and Redasun could meet before Adelaide in the Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on March 27.
