Flemington-based trainer Michael Moroney will take his in-form four-year-old Loyalty Man up to Sydney next start for a shot at the Villiers Stakes 2016 Saturday week.

Loyalty Man is heading to Randwick Racecourse on December 17 for the 2016 Villiers Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The nicely-bred Fastnet Rock gelding has had 14 starts to date and enjoyed his fifth win last time out in the Wodonga Cup (1590m).

It was an improved effort on his close fourth behind Boom Time the start before on Emirates Stakes Day at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival when Loyalty Man was beaten under two lengths after a luckless run.

Moroney now plans to send the improving galloper north on December 17 where Loyalty Man will step up in grade for the lucrative $250,000 Group 2 Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.

On Tuesday morning he worked the horse right-handed in preparation for the Sydney test and Moroney is happy with how the miler is travelling.

“The Villiers looks a nice race for him and I can’t wait to give him a trip away,” Moroney told Racenet.

“He’s still got a bit to learn. He should have won by three or four lengths the other day but wandered about when he went clear.

“He looks like he is going to bolt in then gets to the front and waits for them to come to him.

“Having the stables at Randwick is a positive for us and I think a trip away will be the making of him.”

If all goes well in the Villiers Stakes Moroney said he would seriously consider a trip to Queensland’s Gold Coast Racecourse on January 14 for the Magic Millions Racing Carnival.

“We’ve got an option of running again in Sydney a fortnight after the Villiers or go straight into the Magic Millions race at the Gold Coast in January,” Moroney said.

“He’s only lightly raced and is a character. He has genuine ability – we just need to get him to concentrate.”

Loyalty Man was a $350,000 buy by Paul Moroney Bloodstock at the 2014 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and has currently won $181,850 in prize money.

Other likely Villiers Stakes hopefuls this Sydney Summer Racing Carnival include the John O’Shea-trained Listed ATC Cup (2000m) winner Malice and the fellow Godolphin-raced Duca Valentinois.

Last year’s Villiers Stakes was won by the Patrick Webster-trained Happy Clapper (2015) who came off a Benchmark 85 win at Rosehill over 1500m two weeks before.

Stay tuned to races.com.au for all the latest on the upcoming Summer Racing Carnival Group races including the Villiers Stakes and head to Ladbrokes.com.au for the hottest odds and end of year offers!