Victoria Derby winner Rebel Raider heads to Sydney next week to continue his autumn campaign aimed at adding the AJC Australian Derby to his spring classic.
Trainer Leon Macdonald was pleased with the three-year-old's fifth to Mic Mac over 1200 metres at Moonee Valley on Saturday when the colt was forced to circle the field after being disappointed for a run.
Rebel Raider was originally scheduled to resume at home in Adelaide this weekend but will now race every two weeks until the AJC Australian Derby (2400m) on April 11.
His first Sydney start will be the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on February 28, a race Macdonald won last year with Serious Speed.
"He'll go straight to Sydney now and will be there next Monday," Macdonald said.
"He will run in the Hobartville, then the Randwick Guineas followed by the Rosehill Guineas and the Derby.
"I thought he probably should have finished second at Moonee Valley but I was pleased with his effort and how he has pulled up."
Serious Speed and Augusta Proud are also possible Sydney carnival participants with the latter to race in the Redelva Stakes at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Serious Speed is entered for the Doncaster Mile (1600m) in which she finished fifth last year.
"We haven't really thought beyond Saturday with Augusta Proud," Macdonald said.
"We will see how she goes. The Adelaide program looks as if it suits her pretty well as it does for Serious Speed but they both may go to Sydney.
"Impressive Eagle is also a possibility but Rebel Raider is the only one confirmed at this stage."
Macdonald will also have a runner in Saturday's Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield in Rose Darmore but is not confident she can cause an upset.
The filly ran third to Rostova in the fillies Prelude on February 8 and the trainer thinks the winner's form will stand up.
"The Blue Diamond is a tough race and I'm hopeful more than confident," he said.
Rose Darmore is at $51 ahead of Tuesday's declaration of the final field and barrier draw with Rostova the $2.70 favourite ahead of colts and geldings Prelude winner Real Saga at $3.
