US galloper Carl Spackler is set for one more UK assignment before beginning his Cox Plate quest in Australia.

The valuable Yulong-owned runner, a three-time Grade 1 winner in the UK, debuted for Ciaron Maher with a sixth-place effort in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

He holds a nomination for the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on July 30, which could serve as his final UK appearance before travelling to Australia.

Ciaron Maher Racing’s National Assistant Trainer Jack Turnbull said discussions are ongoing regarding the exact plan for Carl Spackler.

“The Cox Plate has been voiced as being our premier race, but he is effective at a mile having won three Grade 1 races,” Turnbull said.

“What path he takes to get there (Cox Plate), we haven’t etched out yet, but his Grand Final could possibly be the Cox Plate.”

Turnbull said Maher was satisfied with the horse’s first run for the stable, despite being keen early in the race.

“He travelled strong for the first furlong, 300 metres, but Ciaron was pleased with what he saw,” he said. “He pulled up well and will have one more run over there and then come out to Australia.”

Carl Spackler is owned by the same interests behind last year’s Cox Plate winner Via Sistina, raising expectations for the US import’s spring campaign.

Turnbull also revealed Another Wil is back in work and on a Cox Plate path after a solid spell at Bob’s Farm, just north of Newcastle.

The rising six-year-old secured a Group 1 win at Caulfield earlier this year and placed in both the All-Star Mile and Doncaster Mile.

“He has done very well. We treated him like he was having an English spell,” Turnbull said.

“He was boxed at night but out in a grass paddock during the day and he’s put on about 30 or 40 kilos, which for him is quite something as he’s quite an anxious horse.

“For him to do that well and hold his condition is exciting, so hopefully that translates to performance and hopefully it culminates in the Cox Plate.”

Turnbull added that Maher’s team has flexible campaign plans in place for their Cox Plate hopefuls, including Another Wil.

“They’ve all got a skeleton of a program, depending on when they need to be going and up to jumping out, but no doubt Another Wil’s Grand Final is the Cox Plate,” he said.

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