Stradbroke Handicap winner Clearly Innocent is set to run a real race in Saturday's Group II Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick according to his trainer Kris Lees.
Clearly Innocent name has been mentioned in discussion for one of the remaining places in Saturday fortnight's $10 million The Everest (1200m) but Lees is focused on Saturday's weight-for-age contest and from there "things will handle themselves".
"There's only two spots left and I think it will come down to a bit of wheeling and dealing," Lees said.
"If he comes out and runs well, say he beat Chautauqua home, well that's going to make them sit up and take notice.
"If he runs well and pushes his claims, great. If he doesn't, then he doesn't deserve to be there."
The current campaign is Clearly Innocent's second in Lees' Newcastle stables and the trainer says he's better equipped knowing more about the classy galloper.
Last preparation Clearly Innocent resumed at 1100m in the Hawkesbury Rush and post-race Lees said he wasn't sharp enough after finishing fifth.
"I've learnt a bit more about his this prep and his work over the past couple of weeks has been as good as he's worked since I've had him," he said.
"It's been a different build-up this preparation. This campaign he's resuming at 1200m, and there's a big difference between that and 1100m but I've kept him much fresher.
"He needs to be going better, he's taking on a horse Chautauqua and he looks to have come back as good as ever. He's the yardstick.
"I think you'll see the horse return in good order."
In Saturday's Group I Epsom Handicap (1600m) Lees will saddle up the consistent former Kiwi Sound Proposition, a two-time winner at Randwick.
"I'm really happy with how he's going this horse," he said.
"He's proven at the mile and gets some real weight relief on Saturday. He'll run well."
Meanwhile, Lees said Sense of Occasion could be the big improver on Saturday.
The winner of the Group I Doomben Cup two starts back, Sense Of Occasion resumed and finished down the track, beaten more than 10 lengths by Winx in the Chelmsford Stakes.
"I was disappointed with the circumstances of what happened first-up," Lees said.
"He flew the lids, and settled two or three lengths closer than I'd have liked, through no fault of anyone, he just lobbed there.
"It was a high tempo race and you can't drag them back, he was in the flow of the race, which made the run look pretty plain to the eye but sectionally it wasn't that bad.
"The four weeks between runs have been good for him. He'll be ridden conservatively and I reckon he'll run good."
Sense Of Occasion is the shortest of the stable runners on Saturday at $4.40 with Sportsbet while Clearly Innocent is an $8 chance and Sound Proposition in at $14.
