Rey Magnerio has settled so well into Perth’s warm climate that trainer Robbie Griffiths is already eyeing another interstate raid next year, with The Quokka shaping as a logical target.

For now, the focus is Saturday’s Group 3 The Gold Rush (1400m), where the gelding will chase his first victory in Western Australia.

Griffiths says the gelding has flourished since arriving in the west.

“There has been some interest in him for The Quokka and the way he travelled over and has thrived, I think it is something we should look at,” Griffiths said.

“Every time we’ve tried to get him to The Goodwood he grows a winter coat too early, so we haven’t been able to target the race.”

Griffiths hopes a campaign built around warmer conditions — including possible future targets like the Doomben 10,000 and The Stradbroke — will unlock the gelding’s full potential.

Rey Magnerio’s first Perth run produced a strong third in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m), with William Pike maintaining the ride.

The Gold Rush will be the gelding’s first attempt at 1400m, but Griffiths is confident the step up will pose no issue.

“He’s always had suitable sprint races, so we haven’t needed to try him at 1400 before,” Griffiths said.

“He pulled up brilliantly from the Winterbottom and there’s a $1.5 million race sitting right in front of him — we couldn’t ignore that.

“His breeding suggests the trip will be fine. Horses from his family get out over further, and some of our Magnus’ have produced their best efforts at a mile.”

Barrier five should see Rey Magnerio land in a handy position, though Griffiths is happy to let Pike dictate the ride.

“There’s some speed, but I doubt he’ll be far away,” he said.

“Pikey felt that with a softer draw in the Winterbottom he could have had the perfect sit, so we’re hoping things fall into place this time.”

Check the best odds for The Gold Rush at Australia’s leading betting sites.