A start in a Group 1 handicap at Caulfield could be on the agenda for Royal Insignia if he performs well down the straight at Flemington.
Royal Insignia heads to the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday with the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield the following week in the back of trainer Grahame Begg’s mind.
“If he won, or ran really well, you’d have to think about backing him up into the Rupert Clarke,” Begg said.
“You never know, you couldn’t rule it out the quick back up as he’s had a month between his first up and second up runs.
If not, he’d go to the Gilgai, back at Flemington.
It will be interesting to see how he handles the straight on Saturday as it could prove pivotal.”
Royal Insignia loathes wet ground and was not at home on the Soft 6 track when resuming in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 16 when a closing third.
The four-year-old entire went on a winning spree last campaign when successful in a Kyneton maiden before scoring at Caulfield Heath and after a freshen up to score first-up in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) at Sandown in January.
Royal Insignia was then set on an Australian Guineas path, finishing seventh in the Group 3 C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington before finding the 1600m beyond him when tenth to Feroce in the Guineas.
Begg said Royal Insignia had progressed well from his first-up Caulfield outing and had a trial at Caulfield Heath last week to keep him up to speed.
“He had a trial last week at Caulfield and he’s prepped up beautifully,” Begg said.
“The way he’s going, we’re extremely bullish.
“He’s doing everything we’re asking him to do, and you can see it in his work.
“When he works on ground that’s got a bit of give in it, he’s completely different to a track that’s got a bit of firmness to it.”
With 53kg, Craig Williams will take the ride on Saturday.
