Dual Group One-winning New Zealand sprinter The Bostonian is among the horses chasing a spot in The $14 million Everest via the Group Two Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield.
The Tony Pike-trained The Bostonian is one of nine acceptors for Saturday’s 1100m Schillaci, with the winner to be offered the slot secured by the Melbourne Racing Club in The Everest (1200m) at Randwick seven days later.
“Definitely if everything went well, that would be the aim,” Pike’s assistant Chris McNab said.
The Bostonian campaigned successfully in Brisbane earlier this year, winning the weight-for-age Group One Doomben 10,000 (1200m) and Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) before being unplaced in the Stradbroke Handicap won by the James Cummings-trained Trekking.
Trekking is the $2.70 favourite for the Schillaci with The Bostonian sharing the second line of betting at $6 with Bons Away with that trio all coming through the Group One Moir Stakes last start.
The Bostonian had a wide run from a deep barrierin the Moir (1000m) at The Valley, finishing ninth, just over two lengths from the winner Nature Strip.
“He ran a super race,” McNab said.
“He drew wide and was left in no-mans land the whole way but to get as close as he did in the last 200 metres against those horses was exciting.
“The barrier draws win or lose these races so we were hoping for a very good draw for Saturday.
“We’ve got barrier three. You can’t be happier than that.
“He worked over 800 metres on the course proper at Flemington this morning (Tuesday) and he went super.
“Fingers crossed everything is good. The horse is well so we just hope for a bit of luck.”
The Bostonian is one of four Group One winners in the Schillaci field along with Trekking, Booker and Despatch.