The Ciaron Maher stable is still deciding which of their quartet of acceptances it will take up the challenge with in the Listed Cranbourne Cup.
Three of the runners in Saturday’s 1600m contest are also among acceptances for the Listed Kilmore Cup (1600m) on Sunday.
Nugget, Cosmic Vega and Flash Flood have accepted for Kilmore and Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull says it will all come down to race shape as to where the trio run, while Running By is in at Cranbourne only but could also be saved for a mares’ race at Caulfield on Saturday week.
It is expected Nugget will run at Cranbourne having drawn barrier six as against gate 18 on Sunday.
Cosmic Vega has 11 at Cranbourne and 3 at Kilmore while Flash Flood is an emergency at Cranbourne out in barrier 16 but has gate 4 the following day.
Turnbull said Nugget will appreciate a class drop after contesting the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 9.
However, it is getting on for almost two years since Nugget was last successful at Sandown back in December 2022.
“It’s a strong Cranbourne Cup, at least on paper, and with him, he needs a kill,” Turnbull said.
“He’s been winless, but has run some very good races, but is yet to put the head in front at the right time for a long time.
“He is going well and if he gets the right luck in running, he’s well up to it.”
Turnbull said Nugget had performed creditably in high-pressure races where there is a good tempo as he can travel keenly in slowly run races.
He pointed out that Nugget had been placed in a Doncaster Mile and had run well in a Stradbroke Handicap, both Group 1 handicaps.
“He needs the pressure on as he over travels and those bigger handicaps are the races that he’s run his best races in,” Turnbull said.
“He’s getting to a point where we need to lower our sights a touch because he’s not getting it done, but there’s plenty of options there.”
Running By has won two of her three starts this campaign and is a last start winner of the Inglis Bracelet (1600m) at Flemington on November 7.
Turnbull said Running By was a talented mare, but gate 12 was a tricky draw.
“There’s the (Group 3) Summoned Stakes next week if we don’t like the gate and there’s also a race on Ballarat Cup Day that may suit,” Turnbull said.
“She’s got the talent and when mares strike form, they generally hold that for some time.”
Cosmic Vega is set for the third run for the campaign and like Nugget would like a strongly run race.
“He was good first-up but a bit soft late then second-up in the Peninsula Cup (at Mornington) he over-travelled a bit and got it wrong and felt the pinch late,” Turnbull said.
“He’s a hard going horse both at home and at the races and third-up with a bit more training, wherever he does run, he’ll run well.”