Queen Elizabeth Stakes part of long-range Melbourne Cup plan for Berkeley Square

Trainer Dan O’Sullivan is already looking ahead to next year’s Melbourne Cup with Berkeley Square, which starts with Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington.

Long-range Melbourne Cup plans will begin in Saturday’s Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington.

Filling a placing in the $300,000 race will surpass the first Melbourne Cup balloting clause, which is a crucial part of getting a start in the race next November.

Ballarat trainer Dan O’Sullivan will take up the challenge with Bendigo Cup runner-up Berkeley Square.

Berkeley Square comfortably handled the rise to 2400m in the Bendigo Cup, beating home the subsequent shock Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice.

Berkeley Square could press his claims for an Adelaide or Melbourne Cup preparation in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

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O’Sullivan will give the gelding his first start over 2600m in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

The distance will be different but apprentice Jaylah Kennedy has the same priority with Berkeley Square.

“We have to make sure he settles because 26 is different to 24 (00m) but he’ll be strong late,” O’Sullivan said.

Berkeley Square got a long way back at Bendigo but O’Sullivan said the stayer could race closer to the lead if things went his way early in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

“Being our first time over 2400m for a while (in the Bendigo), and because he was a little bit slow out we didn’t want to fire him up to make sure he ran out the trip,” O’Sullivan said.

“If circumstances allow it, we might be a bit closer over 2600(m) if he jumps out well.”

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O’Sullivan said a good result in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes could lead to Berkeley Square attempting the Melbourne Cup distance in the autumn.

“Because he’s predominantly owned in Adelaide, we could end up in the Adelaide Cup,” O’Sullivan said.

“Running a place on Saturday ticks off a few boxes to get him into the Melbourne Cup next year anyway.

“He’s still only a very young five-year-old so if he can come back as a six or seven-year-old, that would do us fine.”

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Berkeley Square is a $6.50 chance in Ladbrokes’ Queen Elizabeth Stakes market in which imported galloper Kinesiology is the $2.70 favourite.

Kinesiology was placed in four successive Listed races in Ireland for previous trainer Jessica Harrington but will debut for champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller at Flemington.

Kinesiology has thrived since arriving at the Werribee quarantine centre, leaving Waller hopeful of a competitive debut outing in Melbourne.

“It’s a tricky time for the trainers,” Waller said.

“But he looks really well and that’s always a good sign to say the horse is well, he’s come down well prepared and he seems fit.

“He’s ready to run well.”

Originally published as Queen Elizabeth Stakes part of long-range Melbourne Cup plan for Berkeley Square