Trainer Tracey Bartley has outlined his ambitious plans for Cuban Cigar, who was recognised for his recent consistent efforts with a hard-fought win in the Legend Mile over 1600 metres.

“He’s a really nice horse, I want to back him up next Saturday in The Gong if he gets a run and claim if I can,” Bartley said.

“Will he get enough benchmark (rating) points, I don’t know.

“If we don’t get into The Gong, he will go to the spelling paddock and come back for The (Provincial-Midway) Championships in autumn.”

Cuban Cigar, steered by jockey Jason Collett, was backed into $3.60 favouritism and managed to hold off the closing effort of Amreekiyah ($3.70) by a half-length, with Hammoon Sensation ($8.50) finishing third, two lengths further back.

Collett, who had just completed a winning double by taking out the previous race with Change My Address, commented that a start in The Gong for Cuban Cigar was something “worth a look”.

“He’s a very likeable horse,” Collett remarked.

“One thing I marked down when I did the form was if we got into a dog fight he would come out on top and he showed that today.”

Cuban Cigar commenced his preparation with a victory at Wyong and has since been placed in four of his subsequent five starts, including three top-three finishes in city-grade races, prior to this win at Newcastle.

Bartley revealed that he had instructed Collett to ensure Cuban Cigar was positioned prominently in the early stages of the race.

“I left him a little bit fresh so he could be ridden closer,” Bartley revealed.

“I told Jason not to leave him with a big job to do, ride him like a good thing.

“He was a bit unlucky the other day but he pulled up terrific. He’s had a good preparation and deserved that win.

“I will have him out tomorrow morning on the water walker and will pick him up on Wednesday. If he’s in good order we will look at The Gong.”

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