The Listed Super Impose Stakes at Flemington will give trainer Peter Moody a clearer indication of the staying potential of Red Sun Sensation.
The 1800m contest on Saturday is considered an important steppingstone to the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on October 29.
Moody considers Red Sun Sensation a potential Derby contender, but at the same time is hedging his bets on the three-year-old until he sees what the son of Awesome Rock does on Saturday.
Red Sun Sensation has raced only three times, registering a 1230m maiden win at Geelong when resuming first-up at Geelong last month before finishing third over 1500m at Moonee Valley on September 3.
Moody said Red Sun Sensation was not at home on the shifting track at Moonee Valley last time and is expecting firmer footing on Saturday, plus the bigger track, to be an advantage.
“At the Valley he was very green, very raw and didn’t quicken on that soft ground and I’m looking forward to getting him onto good ground,” Moody said.
“He’s had a month between runs and stepping up to the 1800 metres suits ideally.
“He’s a nice horse. He’s our Derby contending horse if he’s mature enough and that’s why he’s had his runs spaced, he’s just needed a bit of time.
“But I’m hedging my bets on the Derby. I want to get through Saturday, see how he goes, how he gets through the run and go from there.”
Moody said there was options for Red Sun Sensation to progress to the Derby should Saturday’s run indicate that was the path to follow.
He said the Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) on October 15, the Geelong Classic (2200m) on October 19 or the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) on October 22 were options to consider.
“Or he could be the type of horse that could go straight to the Derby if he gave us that indication,” Moody said.