Denis Pagan will know where Cup aspirant Johnny Get Angry stands after star-studded Group 1 Turnbull Stakes

Denis Pagan wants to see Johnny Get Angry take another step towards the Melbourne Cup on Saturday at Flemington despite striking a star-studded Turnbull Stakes.

Johnny Get Angry (NZ) ridden by Lachlan King on the way to the barriers prior to the Makybe Diva Stakes. Picture: Racing Photos

Johnny Get Angry has reached a critical marker in Denis Pagan’s meticulous Melbourne Cup quest.

Pagan will get a guide on where he stands towards the first Tuesday in November on Saturday when Cup-qualified Victoria Derby winner Johnny Get Angry steps out in the $1m Group 1 Turnbull Stakes.

After using shorter-than-desirable Group races as glorified exercise gallops a 2000m acid test against the likes of Incentivise and Verry Elleegant is an ideal albeit imposing assignment for Johnny Get Angry.

“I know it’s going to be a pretty hot race and there’s going to be some very good horses in it, but I’d want to see him make some big strides and run through the line,” Pagan said.

“He might be at his distance range but the class level is going up … you don't want to die wondering.”

Despite being left flat-footed at the top of the straight when the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes field quickened last start 10th-placed Johnny Get Angry appeared to get mobile again the last few strides.

“He would’ve kept going another lap at the same pace and that's going to be his strength,” Pagan said.

“We should see a better run, I'll be very disappointed (if we don’t), he’s working well and I’m pleased with the way he’s going.

“His last run was a pass mark against some of the best Group 1 weight-for-age racehorses in Australia he wasn't disgraced, but pass marks aren’t going to get you into the prizemoney.”

Johnny Get Angry remains on track to go from the Turnbull Stakes to the $5m Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 16 and on to the Cup on November 3.

“His grand final is going to be Melbourne Cup,” Pagan said.

“I know he'll get the distance (3200m), but there might be classier, better gallopers than him also get the distance.

“It‘s the conundrum you face but you don’t want to not have a go when he’s qualified.”

Victoria Racing Club executive general manager Leigh Jordon lauded the depth and quality of racing at Flemington on Saturday, including the “clash of the century” Turnbull Stakes.

“Incentivise versus Verry Elleegant with Sir Dragonet coming in as the third (favourite), if you add in Zaaki we have got the Cox Plate,” Jordon said.

“73 per cent of the runners in the quadrella have won a black type race, which is quite amazing and shows the depth of the fields in those last four races.”

Meanwhile, the winners of the Rose Of Kingston and Edward Manifold Stakes will be eligible for $1m bonuses should they train on to win the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes on Derby Day.

Originally published as Denis Pagan will know where Cup aspirant Johnny Get Angry stands after star-studded Group 1 Turnbull Stakes