Kareeming kicks off an autumn campaign that Mornington trainer Pat Carey hopes will include win his local Cup.

Carey is setting Kareeming for the Mornington Cup on April 2 and victory would give the gelding automatic entry into this year’s Caulfield Cup.

But first Carey has to get Kareeming fit for the $300,000 2400m race, kicking off his campaign in the Chester Manifold Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.

While a winner over 1300m as a three-year-old, Kareeming is at his best when stepped up in distance.

“He hasn’t shown lately that he’s got that sharpness in his sprint races but we’ve got to kick off his autumn campaign somewhere,” Carey said.

“I’d rather be running him in an ordinary handicap than in a Listed race but the programming is not very kind to him.

After winning successive races in May, Kareeming raced through the winter and into the spring before spelling after running down the track in the Bendigo Cup in November.

Carey said the stayer’s campaign has so far gone without a hitch.

While noting automatic entry into the Caulfield Cup for the Mornington Cup winner is an incentive, Carey said he would be just as happy to collect his local cup.

He’s gone close twice, finishing second with Cedarberg in 2011 and again with Durnford two years later.

“It’s generous prizemoney and on our home track,” Carey said.

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au