Chocante to race in Sydney as Cup lead-up

New Zealand stayer Chocante will do his lead-up racing to the Melbourne Cup in Australia starting with three runs in Sydney.

Trainer Stephen Marsh said Chocante, winner of the Group Two Brisbane Cup (2400m) in June, would begin his campaign in the Group Two Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 2.

He will then run in the Group Three Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) and the Group One Metropolitan (2400m).

“He could have a trial here, but Sydney will tell us where he is at and the tracks there are more likely to offer the sting out of them,” Marsh told NZ Racing Desk.

“We would be worried about giving him too many starts on firm ground.

“He’s back in the stable now and we’ve thought all along that the ultimate goal would be the Melbourne Cup.

“We’ll decide on riding engagements closer to the time, but I would say that we will be looking for a Sydney-based jockey.”

All going well, Chocante will then head to Melbourne to complete his Cup preparations.