Henry Dwyer is considering starting stayer Sonntag in the Werribee Cup on Sunday.

The trainer had thoughts of going straight into the Bagot Handicap over 2800m at Flemington on New Year’s Day after the gelding filled a place in the Ballarat Cup last month.

Providing Sonntag pleases Dwyer during the week he will take his place in Sunday’s 2600m Listed race.

“I was keen to go into the Bagot off a five-week break and keep him nice and fresh for New Year’s Day,” Dwyer said.

“The Werribee Cup is looking like being fairly weak with the exception of Tall Ship and generally I don’t skip a race because of one horse.

“If he has a good week for the rest of the week, we’ll probably run him on Sunday.”

Plans are also taking shape for Sonntag to head to New Zealand for two 3200m races.

Sonntag won over 2800m at Flemington in May before running second to Le Armistad, the three-quarter sister of three-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva, in the 3200m Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington.

“The 2800 to 3200 (metres) is his distance range now,” Dwyer said.

“After the Bagot he’ll probably go to New Zealand for the Wellington Cup on January 24 and the Auckland Cup at the start of March.”

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au