Wednesday's Geelong Cup will go a long way to defining the Melbourne Cup aspirations of trainer Kris Lees in more ways than one.
Not only has Lees sent Red Cardinal to Melbourne for the $400,000 race over 2400m in a last-ditch bid to clinch a Melbourne Cup berth but he is also waiting on a decision from Damien Oliver as to whether he will stick with his import Mustajeer at Flemington on November 5.
Oliver rode Mustajeer for Lees when the gelding made a solid Australian debut when sixth to Japanese stayer Mer De Glace in last Saturday's Caulfield Cup (2400m).
However the Melbourne ace is in an opposite corner at Geelong, partnering Steel Prince for trainer Anthony Freedman.
Steel Prince is already guaranteed a spot in the Melbourne Cup courtesy of his win in the Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington in May.
"I'm expecting Damien to make a decision about his Melbourne Cup ride after the Geelong Cup," Lees said.
"He is yet to commit to Mustajeer who won't race again until he lines up in the Cup.
"I was happy with his Caulfield Cup run. He was with the winner on the home turn and kept grinding but didn't have the same turn of foot as the Japanese horse.
"Mustajeer will take improvement from that and I'm expecting him to be able to settle closer at Flemington if he draws well."
Mustajeer (55kg) is also certain of a Melbourne Cup berth, and is currently 15th in ballot order.
Kris Lees and Damien Oliver Photo by Racing and Sports
Red Cardinal has raced only once this preparation, coming from 13th at the 800m to finish fifth in the G3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) on September 20.
Lees is going to Melbourne to saddle the imported stayer for the Geelong Cup, and says the gelding races best on the fresh side.
"Red Cardinal is not yet qualified for the Melbourne Cup and has to run top three on Wednesday to meet the qualifying conditions," he said.
"Realistically he needs to win the Geelong Cup and earn a decent penalty to make the Melbourne Cup field.
"If he doesn't we will wait for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2600m at Flemington on the final day on November 9."
Lees reported that In Her Time had come through last Saturday's Everest (1200m) at Randwick and will start next in the $2 milion Darley Sprint Classic (1200m) at Flemington.
She ran a close second to Santa Ana Lane in the Flemington sprint last year.
Tactical Advantage, who was disadvantaged by a wide draw when a closing fifth to Miss Leonidas in last Saturday's G2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m), is another of the Lees team heading to the Flemington carnival.
He will next appear in the MSS Security Sprint on the 1200m straight course on Cup day.
