A Queensland campaign is in the offering for Floating Artist but first there will be a stopover in NSW for the former UK galloper.

Floating Artist is among nominations for the Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) on Saturday ahead of travel further north to Brisbane for the Winter Carnival.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained galloper has had eight starts in Australia after a career in England that netted him two wins.

Floating Artist has bettered that record in Australia with wins at Moonee Valley, Flemington and Sandown, while his best performance came in the 2021 Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) when 4-½ lengths from the winner Verry Elleegant.

Floating Artist was away from racing for 17 months before his return at Bendigo on April 1 when a closing fourth behind Imperial Lad over 1400m.

Eustace explained Floating Artist had a nasty injury following the Cup run that required a significant amount of time on the sidelines.

“He injured his carpel sheath at the back of his knee,” Eustace said.

“It was quite a nasty injury and it has taken a long time for him to get back.

“We thought first-up he was a massive run. He’s going to run in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup and then go on to the Hollindale Cup (this year at the Sunshine Coast with the Gold Coast undergoing renovation).”

Longer term in Brisbane, Eustace said the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 20, the Group 2 Q22 (2200m) or the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm on June 10 may come under consideration for the stayer.

And Eustace said the stable would like to have another tilt at a Melbourne Spring Campaign, including the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups with Floating Artist.

“He’s proven himself up to that grade before and if everything is going to plan, he will head that way again,” Eustace said.