It's time for Red Ruler to step up to group one level, according to Matamata trainer John Sargent, who says plenty is in his favour at Flemington tomorrow.
Red Ruler lines up in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) against most of the top Melbourne spring contenders.
The Viking Ruler gelding iscoming off a last-start sixth to Heart Of Dreams in the group one Underwood Stakes (1800m), drops from weight-for-age to just 54.5kg under the set weights and penalties scale, and drew barrier three for jockey Dan Nikolic.
"He's nearing his peak and if he's going to do something in the Cox Plate you'd have to expect him to go close with that weight," said Sargent.
"I really have got a good feeling about him, so, hopefully, he can stand up and be counted."
Red Ruler was yesterday an A$8 chance in the Turnbull with Australia's TAB Sportsbet, with Vigor a A$4.50 favourite ahead of Predatory Pricer (A$5) and Maldivian (A$5.50).
Red Ruler hasn't yet cracked a big result in Australia but has performed well, with his second to Nom du Jeu in the 2008 AJC Derby and a third behind Zipping in the Sandown Classic last November his best efforts.
Sargent is eyeing a possible shot at the Caulfield Cup-Cox Plate double on consecutive Saturdays this month, after Red Ruler finished sixth in last year's Caulfield Cup.
He said Red Ruler worked strongly this week, shading Melbourne Cup contender Light Vision, and had finally shed his winter coat.
The decision to send Red Ruler and Melbourne Cup contender Young Centaur to Melbourne for the early spring had paid off, Sargent said.
"We're starting to see them come up at the right time. We got them settled in early and we haven't had to struggle on wet tracks back home."
Young Centaur will start next in the Herbert Power (2400m) at Caulfield next Saturday, before the Geelong Cup and, hopefully, the Melbourne Cup.
Meanwhile, another Kiwi cups contender will have her first Australian start when Hoorang lines up in the listed Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington tomorrow. The Wanganui mare drew barrier one and will be ridden by Michelle Payne.
