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Top South Australian stayer Alcopop will run in Sunday's Group 1 Turnbull Stakes.
The Jake Stephen's trained gelding was also be entered for the Group 3 JRA Cup, a race he won in 2009 on his way to the Cups two springs ago.
But his trainer has decided to target Sunday's tougher 2000m assignment at Flemington, where he will carry 55.5kg under the set weights and penalties conditions.
The JRA Cup attracted just 10 runners when fields were released today, while the Turnbull is expected to be a bigger line-up and far tougher race, which will include the Caulfield Cup favourite December Draw.
"We're looking towards the Turnbull as he'll end up with too much weight in the JRA," Stephens told The Advertiser.
"It looks like everyone is going for the Turnbull so it's going to be some sort of race."
Alcopop scored at his second run of the spring when winning the Listed Penny Edition Stakes at Morphettville before an eye-catching second to Rekindled Interest in the Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley three weeks ago.
The seven-year-old is entered for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, where he is a $21.00 and $31.00 chance respectively with TAB Sportsbet.
He is also entered for the Cox Plate and is currently at $21.00.
While Stephens has dodged the JRA Cup this Friday, a further two South Australians will take their places in the race.
Leon Macdonald's Southern Speed, runner-up in the Underwood Stakes last time, will be at her top for the 2040m race at her fifth run of the spring, along with the consistent Silent Surround, prepared by Bill Smart, who has placed at her last three runs.