Ballarat trainer Amy McDonald is already setting her sights on a major feature at the Warrnambool May Carnival next year with promising jumper Flying Agent.
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McDonald relcutantly nominated the Brierly Steeplechase as a possible target for the eight-year-old after he raced away with the $50,000 Gotta Take Care Hurdle, 4000m, in Ballarat on Sunday.
With McDonald's husband Lee Horner in the saddle, Flying Agent ($3.70) scored by 19 lengths after leading all the way on the heavy10 track.
Eckhart ($2.70 favourite) was second, with San Remo ($5.50) third.
"We probably have to try and raise the bar a little bit," McDonald said.
"Maybe something like the Brierly - he's quite good around the Warrnambool course. I don't think a Grand Annual (Steeplechase) is his go so soon. He's got a long way to go in terms of switching off to get that 5500 metres.
"I don't know that there's many (currently) that jump as beautifully as he does.
"He just does it for fun. Some horses are very workmanlike and they get from A to B, but he loves it and he's very good at it," McDonald said.
Horner said Flying Agent did not jump as spectacularly as he could because the ground was so heavy.
"He's had a really good prep and it's good to end it on a winning note like he did last year. We'll come back and we'll go chasing," he said.
Horner nominated the Brierly along with the Thackeray Steeplechase and perhaps the Grand National Steeplechase as possible targets next season.