Stradbroke Handicap winner Sincero will head to Melbourne during the spring carnival with a start in the Cox Plate his ultimate goal.

Sincero will head to Melbourne in the spring for a tilt at the Cox Plate

The Stephen Farley trained gelding has completed his spell on the Gold Coast and will make his return to racing in the Tramway Stakes in early September.

The rising four year old is now back in work at Farley’s Wyong property, and will have his first hit out in a barrier trial Randwick next month.

“We’re going to Randwick on the 19^th of August to trial there. Then, first up we are going to the Tramway which is on the third of September,” said Sincero’s part owner Greg De Vries.

“From there we’ll take him down south to Melbourne and we’re planning for the Underwood over 1800m then we’ll go from there.”

The most likely destination for Sincero after the Underwood appears to be either the Turnbull or Caulfield Stakes. Both races are Group One 2000 metre events, and look to be the perfect lead up races for Sincero as he targets the Cox Plate.

Sincero is yet to step out in a race beyond 1600m and his breeding (Umatilla x Yours As Always) suggests that staying will not be his forte, however connections are keen to target the big Melbourne spring carnival events.

Sincero won the Stradbroke Handicap at his first start in blinkers and it is understood that they will be a permanent part of his arsenal during his spring campaign.

“The blinkers sharpened him up and he relaxes well. The Umatilla’s aren’t renowned as stayers but there are a couple of nice ones around,” said De Vries.

“But he settles so well we’ve always thought he’d cover a mile and a quarter, or even a mile and a half on his ear.”

Sincero will be reunited with his regular jockey Chris O’Brien for the spring campaign, after the experienced hoop had to jump off his favourite horse for the Stradbroke handicap because he could not ride at 50.5 kg. However because Sincero will mostly be entered in weight for age events, O’Brien should have no trouble making weight.

O’Brien has ridden Sincero a total of nine times eight wins and a second. Sincero’s overall record stands at 13 starts for nine wins and a second, which has seen him garner more than $1 million on prize money.

Sincero is currently on the fifth line of betting for the 2011 Cox Plate at $17.00. He is also rated a $34.00 chance in the Caulfield Cup.