Trainer John McArdle is weighing up two Stakes options for his ultra-consistent gelding Regal Zeus ahead of Saturday’s racing.
Regal Zeus holds nominations for both the Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) and the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield, with McArdle set to accept for both before making a decision.
Regal Zeus secured his first black-type success when winning the Listed Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo earlier this month.
“He will be an acceptor up there and for the Listed Mile race down here,” McArdle said.
“We’ll just have a look at both races, but the Hawkesbury Gold Cup does get you into The Big Dance, so that’s certainly a good carrot, so we’ll weigh it up and make a plan.”
A top-two finish in designated NSW Country Cups qualifies runners for the $3 million The Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day.
Regal Zeus has been a model of consistency, placing first or second in 10 of his last 11 outings, his only blemish coming at Caulfield last spring before rebounding to win at Moonee Valley.
Fresh from a break, Regal Zeus returned to run second at Moonee Valley over 1200m before winning at Caulfield in March and then at Bendigo.
If Hawkesbury is chosen, it will mark the gelding’s first interstate journey, something McArdle believes won’t pose an issue.
“He’s a tough horse,” McArdle said.
“It will be the first time that he will travel if we go to Hawkesbury, but not too much bothers him.
“We’ll accept in both places, look at fields and barriers and work it out from there.”
The Hawkesbury Gold Cup has attracted 22 nominations, topped by My Oberon, while 25 are entered for the Anniversary Vase, headed by Pride Of Jenni. Holymanz, Socks Nation, and Welwal, like Regal Zeus, are dual nominees.