Melbourne Cup placegetter Spanish Mission could be the headline act for the Zipping Classic if he continues to please his new trainer, Peter Moody.
The Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) will this year be run at Caulfield on November 27, two weeks later than its previous date at Sandown.
Spanish Mission was purchased by the part-owners of the Melbourne Cup quinella Verry Elleegant and Incentivise and joined Moody’s stable last week having previously been prepared by Andrew Balding.
Moody’s assistant-trainer Catherine Coleman partnered Spanish Mission in a workout at Pakenham on Tuesday morning and said everything was pointing towards the stayer running at Caulfield.
“I rode him myself and didn’t ask him to do a whole lot, just a light piece of work, and he was very relaxed through the mid-stages and then was quite sharp and towed me to the line,” Coleman told RSN.
“I was really happy with the way he felt. He was very happy within himself, and the best part of his work was pulling up and through the line.
“He was really eager to be out there and to be doing it.
“That gives the indication he’s a happy, healthy horse and if he continues to progress that way in the next week or so then both Pete and I will be keen to have a look at him and give him another run.”
Spanish Mission has been in his new stable less than a week and Coleman described him as a lovely horse.
“He’s a real gentleman, a professional and seems to have settled into our routine well,” Coleman said.
“We’re trying to get to know him and work out how he is in himself, but after the way he worked this morning, I think I’m pretty keen to head towards the Zipping Classic and I know Pete is the same.”