Trainer Luke Fernie is ready to aim higher after Man Crush won the Nicopolis Stakes (1200m) at Belmont on Saturday.
A Goldfields opportunity is next in waiting for Man Crush who ended a series of Listed minor placings in style.
Man Crush took a sit outside the leader Phanta and had control of the $100,000 race inside the final 100m when he dashed clear.
With Chris Parnham in the saddle, Man Crush defeated Phanta by one length with a further two lengths to Frigid.
Fernie said Man Crush is the right horse at the right time to tackle the Listed Hannans Handicap (1400m) in Kalgoorlie on October 2.
“For him to chase down the horse in front of him was very encouraging, “Fernie said on Tabradio.
“He ran through the line to suggest the 1400m is going to be right up his alley.
“It’s exciting to know he’s going to be thereabouts in a feature race again.
“Everyone knows on speed in Kalgoorlie is the place to be and that’s where he likes to put himself.”
Man Crush may have to overcome a distance query in the Hannans, he’s come up short in two of three previous attempts at 1400m, but Luke Fernie believes he’s better able to tackle the distance at this stage of his career.
“His runs at 1400m haven’t been that good, but I just think through maturity and being an older horse now it looks to me he wants to get out to the trip,” Fernie said.
“It’s obviously going to be a big test for him to run the 1400m again, but I feel he’s in a better way to run it out this time around, that’s for sure.”
Man Crush is likely to have company in the Hannans with Otheroneson pressing his claims after Belmont’s meeting this Saturday.
“We might have a two-pronged attack and we’ll see how he handles 1400m this weekend coming up,” Fernie said.
“He’s been super and should be wound up to put his best foot forward on Saturday.
“We’ll get a good guide on where he’s at.”
Fernie had added reason to smile at Belmont this morning after a few stable stars showed up impressively in trials.
Ripcord won heat six by 2 ½ lengths to rubber stamp an eastern states campaign with the Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on November 2 a primary target.
Wild Belle also booked a spot on the plane going east after shading stable mate Laced Up Heels and Mood Swings in heat five.
