Exciting colt Merchant Navy could book a ticket to England later this year if he lives up to the stable's expectations in the Newmarket Handicap in March.
Merchant Navy unleashed a huge finish to claim the Group I Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) down the Flemington straight in the spring before Coolmore bought an interest in the son of Fastnet Rock.
Merchant Navy's connections have made the Newmarket Handicap the main autumn target for the three-year-old, a race in which is currently $9 second favourite.
"The Newmarket second-up is his main goal for the autumn. If we run on the Lightning or possibly the Rubiton, I'm sure he'll be competitive in what whatever he runs in," trainer Aaron Purcell told RSN.
"His job is to be a stallion and I think if he is competitive in England, it makes his northern hemisphere value much higher.
"As long as he runs well in the Newmarket then I'm sure Royal Ascot is a very serious chance."
Merchant Navy started his build-up to the Newmarket Handicap with a jumpout at Caulfield on Tuesday morning.
Purcell said Merchant Navy, the winner of five of his six starts to date, won his jumpout indicating he has returned in good order from a spell.
"He's a very relaxed horse with a laid-back nature and this morninghe had a jumpout at Caulfield as well. It was his first serious piece of work and he trialled great,"
"He always takes a little bit to get into stride but once he got rolling, he ended up winning the trial and he pulled up great. I couldn't be more excited about his autumn campaign."
The Thousand Guineas winnerAloisiaalso had her first jumpout of her autumn campaign in a strong heat that including Caulfield Guineas winner Mighty Boss, Sandown Guineas winner Villermont and Group II winner Snitty Kitty.
Purcell said Aloisia trialled well and her initial autumn target will be the Group I Australian Guineas (1600m).
"(She) wasn't asked to do much but she closed off the trial really nicely and has pulled up really well," Purcell said.
"The short-term goal is the Australian Guineas so we'll get through that and we'll definitely reassess her future after that."
