Bletchingly Stakes winner Ability won't run in Saturday's Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield because trainer Robert Smerdon has his eye on a bigger prize for the rapid improver.
Ability has progressed from a Benchmark 78 win at Moonee Valley in May to a Group III success in the Bletchingly Stakes at his last start but Smerdon wants to test the five-year-old at Group I level next time out.
Smerdon said he has decided to send Ability to the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on September 2.
Smerdon said Ability has answered every challenge connections have set for him and will give the son of Reward For Effort a chance at the highest level in the $1 million event.
Ability is untested over 1400m. Smerdon accepts the distance is a query with the gelding but it was worth trying the winner of seven of his 16 starts over the trip.
"It's a question mark. At this stage, who knows?," Smerdon said. "It's worth a million bucks so that's probably where he will go.
"We thought before the Bletchingly that if he fell short, that's fine and there are plenty of other options and we'll just lower our sights and we'll take the same attitude.
"We'll see how he measures up to the Memsie."
The Bletchingly Stakes and Memsie Stakes are four weeks apart but Smerdon is unconcerned with the break between Ability's runs.
"I don't think he needs a run in between," Smerdon said.
"He was four weeks (between runs) last time and he's a fit horse so four weeks into the Memsie won't worry him."
