The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable is looking beyond a late season race at Flemington with two-year-old Mennea.
Engaged in the Next Generation Sprinters Series Final on Saturday, Mennea will be joined by stablemate The Art Of Flying in the 1200m sprint.
Eustace handed a strong tip for Mennea, a colt by Sebring, who was successful on debut at Donald on June 19 and comes straight to town.
“If I was riding in the race, I would be riding Mennea because we think he’s well above average,” Eustace told RSN.
“The query will be whether he is streetwise to be going down the straight and handle that.”
But Eustace was not conceding that The Art Of Flying was without a chance in Saturday’s contest.
A son of Flying Artie, The Art Of Flying is the most experienced galloper in Saturday’s race having already graced the starter on four occasions.
“The Art Of Fly has a couple of more runs on the board and experience.,” Eustace said.
“He ran well in a maiden at Sale where he got a long way back and I think he will handle the straight.
“But Mennea I think will end up being the better horse. As he’s got a lot of quality.
“A big scopey horse with plenty of strength that had trialled impressively and won impressively and we thought he’d do that.”
Eustace conceded Mennea still had quite a way to go to develop into a spring contender, but believes, in time, he will measure up to better company.
“He will stay seven furlongs and a mile we feel, although we won’t be in a rush to step him up in trip,” Eustace said.
“He’s a well-bred horse and we’re hopeful that he’s stakes class in his three-year-old year.”
