Racing: Cup protagonists to meet again

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Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist and runner-up Red Cadeaux will meet again in Australia this autumn.

Protectionist, now with Kris Lees at Newcastle, after Andreas Wohler trained him to win the Cup, won a 1200m barrier trial at Newcastle yesterday.

Red Cadeaux has been in quarantine since last week with trainer Ed Dunlop confirming the three-time Melbourne Cup runner-up will head to Australia, rather than Dubai.

The two are likely to meet in next month's Australian Cup at Flemington before another possible showdown in Sydney during The Championships.

Hugh Bowman put Protectionist through his paces in the trial, with the horse gathering in stablemate Sommernachtstraum to win by half a length.

Lees said Protectionist had acclimatised well to life in Australia.

"He didn't have long off and was kept in light work the whole way through," said Lees.

"He is 15kg heavier than he was when he raced in the Cup.

"It was a nice enough trial. Hugh didn't pressure him and he coasted to the line.

"The plan is to have three, possibly four, runs this autumn: the Peter Young, the Australian Cup, the Queen Elizabeth and/or the BMW."

Lees said that although Protectionist had won the Cup over 3200m, he thought he could be effective over the 2000m of the Australian Cup and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the BMW (2400m). The trainer said he would discuss the jockey situation for Protectionist with owners Australian Bloodstock this week.

Englishman Ryan Moore rode him in the Cup, but Lees said his preference was someone who could commit to the whole campaign but acknowledged the overlap of the Sydney and Melbourne carnivals made it difficult.

Hong Kong-based Frenchman Gerald Mosse has ridden Red Cadeaux to his last two Melbourne Cup seconds but has been hit with a lengthy suspension which does not end until April, ruling him out of the Australian Cup and BMW.

Protectionist is the TAB's $5 favourite for the Australian Cup on March 14.AAP