The Mornington Cup and potential Caulfield Cup qualification is in the sights of trainer Stephen Brown with Post D'France.
But the gelding first has to pass another city test at Caulfield on Saturday in the A$100,000 CFV Ambassadors Plate (2000m).
Post D'France (by Postponed) has won five of his seven starts since crossing the Tasman to join Brown's stable at Flemington.
His most recent victory was over 1600m at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival and Brown insists the 5-year-old is better suited stepping up in trip.
Should the stayer win again on Saturday, Brown will look to the A$350,000 Mornington Cup (2400m) in February as the short-term target.
"It's not an easy race. There's three or four nice horses in it," Brown said of Saturday's event.
"If he can handle them, we'll press on with him towards the Mornington Cup for sure."
The winner of the Mornington Cup secures a spot in next year's Caulfield Cup. Brown said Post D'France would likely have a short let-up should he confirm Mornington Cup aspirations at Caulfield.
The Chris Waller-trained Multilateral, also a winner during the Flemington carnival, has been installed $3.50 favourite in early betting ahead of Electric Fusion ($5.50), with Post D'France and Constant Force at $9.50.
Patrick Moloney has ridden Post D'France in six of his seven Australian starts, including five wins, but senior Victorian rider Stephen Baster has been called on to replace the suspended apprentice.
- AAP