The 2016 Coolmore Stud Stakes on Victoria Derby Day this Melbourne Cup Carnival is the ultimate goal for John Zielke’s Sunshine Coast galloper Dreams Aplenty.

2016 Coolmore Stud Stakes hope Dreams Aplenty has to overcome favourite Defcon (pictured) to win the Danehill Stakes at Flemington this weekend. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Dream Ahead gelding makes his interstate and three-year-old debut this Saturday at Flemington Racecourse as one of 12 young sprinters facing off in the $200,000 Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) on Makybe Diva Stakes Day.

To date Dreams Aplenty has had five runs for just the one win, a successful 3.3 length debut victory back in April at home.

He has run in Group company three times so far during the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival including a Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1350m) second behind Attention in late May.

His latest run was at Eagle Farm on Stradbroke Day, June 11, when fifth to Sacred Elixir in the Group 1 J.J. Atkins (1600m).

Zielke is hoping he can improve on that run down the Flemington straight fresh this weekend in the Danehill Stakes where regular rider Bobby El-Issa retains the ride from the outside barrier 12 draw.

Dreams Aplenty is rated a $14 chance in Danehill Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au with markets led by Defcon ($4.20).

The Peter & Paul Snowden-trained favourite Defcon is drawn the opposite end of the field in barrier one, but his hoop Dwayne Dunn has expressed concerns over whether the inside alley is the best place to be at the track this weekend.

A three-year-old son of Choisir, Defcon was last seen winning the Group 3 H.D.F. McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield Racecourse a fortnight ago.

He faces off against the same two horses he beat home in that run in Saturday’s rematch with runner-up Highland Beat ($8) and third-placed Wazzenme ($11) both out to turn the tables in the Danehill.

While only having won over 1000m to date, Dreams Aplenty is a genuine 1400m horse according to Zielke, making him the right type for a tough run on October 29 in the $500,000 Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).

“He’s one of those horses, if you keep him fresh, he’ll keep on pinging for you,” Zielke told Racing Victoria.

“He will run the 1400m – he only got beaten half-a-head when the saddle slipped on him in the Sires’ Produce, and that’s 1350m. He’ll run 1400m on his ear.

“I’d like to keep him fresh and try and win the Coolmore with him.

“The Coolmore, from what other people have told me, you need a strong 1400m horse to win that race.”

To back Dreams Aplenty in Saturday’s Danehill Stakes and across his spring at the right prices make sure you’ve got an account open at Ladbrokes.com.au – home of Odds Boost (T&Cs apply).