Dubai on the cards for Awesome Rock

A trip to the Dubai World Cup meeting is in the pipeline for Emirates Stakes winner Awesome Rock.

The Leon and Troy Corstens-trained five-year-old returned to work on Monday following a three-week spell after his Group One 2000m win on the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival.

Troy Corstens said the plan was to give Awesome Rock a three-run autumn campaign in Melbourne in the Orr Stakes, the Peter Young Stakes and the Australian Cup, a race he lost on protest to Preferment this year.

If Awesome Rock comes through the Australian Cup in good order he will then head to Dubai for the $US6 million Dubai Turf (1800m) at Meydan on March 25.

“His Australian prep will culminate in the Australian Cup and then if he comes through that well we will give very serious consideration to the Dubai turf race over 1800 metres,” Corstens said.

“He came back into the stable on Monday but he had a lovely spell and didn’t put on too much weight, so he shouldn’t take too long to come to hand.”