In his 14 starts for Kyneton trainer Mick Sell, Treasure Map has travelled far and wide throughout rural Victoria.
On Saturday, Treasure Map heads to town to make his staying debut in the 2500m-Rain Lover Handicap before going bush again chasing a fourth country Cup.
Treasure Map has already won the Manangatang Cup in October as well as the Penshurst and Burrumbeet Cups over 2000m and 1800m respectively at his past two starts.
Sell has plans to drop Treasure Map back to 1800m on January 23 for the Hanging Rock Cup.
And while he knows it is a big jump in class at Flemingon, the race will be a guide to Treasure Map’s future which could also include a jumps career.
“It’s a massive step up in class on Saturday,” Sell said.
“But I didn’t want to go back to the mile in the Camperdown Cup on Saturday and I also want to see if he does get 2500 metres.”
Treasure Map was originally trained at Toowoomba by Michael Nolen and came to Sell after a short stint with Darren Weir.
“When he’s had enough this time in we’ll stop, but I’d love to try him over 3000 metres at Moonee Valley,” Sell said.
“They look winnable races if a horse shows he can stay.”
Stablemate Moshway contests the Better Beyond Plate over the straight 1100m with Sell expecting an improved showing on his ninth at Caulfield last week.
A son of Black Caviar’s brother Moshe, Moshway finished third on debut on the straight Flemington track over 1000m in October.
