Simmering Caulfield Cup Bound Next Year

It's more than 12 months away, but trainer Rob Heathcote is daring to dream of winning the Caulfield Cup next year with Simmering.

Simmering proved he was a class act running away with a six length win over King Of The Nile in the Brand & Slater Architects Plate (2125m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Ridden by Jim Byrne, Simmering registered his third straight win taking his record to five wins from 10 starts.

Byrne has no doubts Simmering can measure up to the spring races in Melbourne in 12 months time.

"The first time I jumped on him Rob said he was a good horse who was crying out for a distance," Byrne said.

"He's the real deal and switches off in his races.

"Rob has plans to send him down for the Caulfield Cup next year and those spring races will really help bring him on."

Heathcote admits the Caulfield Cup is a quantum leap in class from his Brisbane opposition.

"I'm a realist but he's a very good stayer with a big future," Heathcote said.

"I'll put him away in the paddock now and look at some nice races in the spring next year like the Caulfield Cup."

Heathcote hasn't ruled out a crack at the Sydney autumn races next year after Simmering has a short summer campaign.

"I'll probably bring him back for three or four runs next campaign and then he may go to Sydney next year," he said.

"I'm deeply satisfied with this win. I recognised a long time ago he was going to be a very good stayer.

"He's only had 10 runs but to win like he did, even though it's against this sort of opposition, proves he's a good horse."

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Photo: Graham Potter