One of the premier Victorian sprint races on the cards this coming autumn for the Michael Kent-trained Supido who is being aimed at Flemington’s Newmarket Handicap 2017.

The $1.25 Group 1 Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) is set to run down the straight at Flemington Racecourse on Super Saturday, March 11, 2017.

The Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival classic is one race Cranbourne trainer Kent is considering for his consistent Sebring stallion Supido.

A lightly-raced five-year-old, to date the horse has won six of his nine career runs for a further two placings.

All of his wins to date have been in non-stakes’ company, but Kent hopes to change that next time in with big things planned for the up-and-comer.

Last start Supido stepped up in class for his first run outside of Melbourne taking on a top field at Morphettville in Adelaide’s Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) on May 21.

There he was far from disgraced crossing under a length away third behind Black Heart Bart and Under The Louvre.

The winner Black Heart Bart and runner-up Under The Louvre went on to frank that form running top two next time out but in reverse order in Brisbane’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).

Darren Weir’s Black Heart Bart also won two other Group 1s over the spring completing the Memsie Stakes – Underwood Stakes double, with a further two other elite level seconds including that behind Winx in the Ladbrokes Stakes highlighting his latest campaign.

Kent then is hoping The Goodwood form continues to stack-up next year when he brings Supido back to racing after a notable let-up.

“He’s back in work next week and like Abbey Marie, he’s got a big autumn ahead of him,” Kent told Racing Victoria, speaking also of the Group 1 autumn ambitions of his undefeated Group 1 winning mare Abbey Marie.

“I really like this horse. He was awfully jarred up at Flemington on that rock-hard track – they ran 31 seconds for their last 600 metres [when he won over 1000m on May 7 before The Goodwood].

“He then went to the Goodwood but I don’t think he let down like he can so I gave him a good break.”

Leading up to the Newmarket Handicap Kent is also eyeing off a Flemington run on February 18 for Supido in the $750,000 Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m).

The Lightning Stakes has produced four of the past six Newmarket Handicap winners, most recently Brazen Beau (2^nd in 2015).

The last sprinter to complete the double was Black Caviar (2011) who the first leg is now aimed in honour of.

Black Caviar, who retired undefeated with 25 wins from 25 starts, won three straight editions of the Lightning Stakes from 2011-13 as part of her dominance on the turf.

To get behind Kent’s autumn chances including Supido next race head to our preferred online sportsbook Ladbrokes.com.au for access to Odds Boost (T&Cs apply).