The first staying feature of the new year at Randwick has a familiar look with the first six horses home in the Christmas Cup entered to do battle again.

But the Christmas Cup winner Sir John Hawkwood is not certain to run with trainer David Vandyke also considering taking him to Melbourne for the Bagot Handicap at Flemington.

Sir John Hawkwood is the highest-rated entry in both Listed races on Friday and has been given 60kg in the Bagot (2800m) and is likely to get 61kg in the Tattersalls Cup (2400m) when weights are released on Tuesday after any extra nominations are taken.

“It’s in the balance,” Vandyke said.

“He will possibly get 61 (kg) in Sydney and I think he could be disadvantaged in the difference between this and his last run against much the same field.

“I have no concerns about the 2800 metres of the Bagot because we are aiming him at the Sydney Cup.

“But if we go to Melbourne he has a long float trip to contend with.

“I also have a healthy respect for Jiayuguan in the Sydney race after she ran second to us in the Christmas Cup and had to change course in the run.

“There’s a bit to think about and I will have a chat to owner Paul Fudge on Tuesday afternoon.

“We need to do what’s best for the horse.”

Chris Waller has Christmas Cup fourth Quick Strike and sixth Vilanova in the race he has won for the past three years.

“They have both come through the Christmas Cup well and should run their usual honest races,” Waller said.

Waller’s past three winners are Multilateral, Permit and Moriarty.

Nominations have been left open until Tuesday morning with 10 entries so far received.

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au