Last season's Breeders' Plate winner Khan is bound for Perth but will be given a chance to repay some of his purchase price at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Perth-based trainerChris Gangemipaid $140,000 for the three-year-old in a recent Inglis Online auction on February 28 and will saddle the gelding in the 955m Challenge.
Khan (image Steve Hart) won aRandwickbarrier trial the day before the auction to make Gangemi even keener to secure the flashy chestnut.
"I liked him before that and I liked him even more after the trial," Gangemi said.
"We've still got Rock Magic atFlemingtonand saw the race at Moonee Valley. He's obviously pretty forward so we thought we'd give him a try before he flies back to Perth with Rocky.
"We gave him a gallop at Flemington on the grass Saturday and it was very pleasing."
Gangemi has specialised in buying tried horses in the eastern states and taking them to race successfully in Perth.
Current stable star Rock Magic commenced his career in Sydney with Paul Messara, winning twice at Canterburybefore joining the Gangemi stable.
Gangemi has Rock Magic at Flemington and said Khan arrived from Peter and Paul Snowden is terrific condition.
"It's early days obviously but his attitude is good, he's nice and bright and the signs are positive," Gangemi said.
"His Breeders' Plate win was very good but his last three starts have been disappointing so we will just see how he goes on Friday and assess him from there."
Gangemi said Rock Magic has pulled up from his fourth place finish in Saturday's Group INewmarket Handicapin great shape.
"He's come through the race terrific - he'll run next in theWilliam Reid Stakesat Moonee Valley," Gangemi said.
"He's mixing it with the best sprinters in the land and we couldn't be prouder of him."
Michael Deehas been booked to ride Khan on Friday.
