Racing: Sincero on trial for Cox Plate at Rosehill

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Sincero will take a crucial step towards his Cox Plate mission when he faces his first weight-for-age test in Saturday's group one George Main Stakes at Rosehill.

The Cox Plate is regarded as Australasia's weight-for-age championship and if Sincero is to make a play for the major spoils, he will first need to prove his mettle at Rosehill.

Farley is relying on the gelding's proven ability to carry weight as a pointer to him handling the conditions.

"It is his first test at weight-for-age but he's carried big weights before," Farley said.

"He had 58kg in the Tramway and he won with 60kg one day at Randwick."

Farley also pointed to the lack of depth among the brigade of proven weight-for-age horses as a factor in Sincero's favour.

He said the gelding might have taken a lower road this spring if it weren't for the dearth of genuine middle-distance topliners.

"The thinking of the owners was that the depth wasn't there this spring," Farley said.

"Next year would have probably suited him better [to target the Cox Plate] but we decided to give him a shot this year."

The Stradbroke Handicap winner will jump from the outside barrier in the field of eight in the George Main, which, despite its size, still boasts five group one winners.

Farley is optimistic the wide draw will work for Sincero, the $2.50 favourite in first TAB Sportsbet markets.

"Drawing eight of eight is probably a bonus," Farley said.

"Jockey Chris O'Brien can make up his own mind about what he wants to do.

"If we'd drawn one or two and they walked up front you can get stuck in behind them and not be able to do anything about it but being out deep, Chris can sum up the situation."

Sincero resumed with a tenacious victory over Secret Admirer in the Tramway Handicap (1400m) at Warwick Farm on September 3.

Usually run over 1600m at Randwick, the George Main will be a 1500m race at Rosehill on Saturday with Randwick out of play while emergency work is carried out on corroded sections of the Queen Elizabeth II grandstand.

Given Sincero is second-up, Farley concedes the changes will probably suit his charge.

"I wouldn't argue with that. At this stage of his preparation the 1500 probably suits him better than a strong 1600m at Randwick."

Farley confirmed the Epsom Handicap (1600m) on October 1 remained the short-term target provided it went ahead at Randwick as planned.

After that, Melbourne beckons with the Yalumba Stakes (2000m) on Caulfield Guineas Day on October 8 ahead of the Cox Plate on October 22.

Sincero's rivals on Saturday include group one winners Black Piranha, Gathering, Ilovethiscity and Sacred Choice.

In a key move, Ilovethiscity will wear blinkers for the first time in the George Main as he attempts to bounce back from his unplaced run in the Sebring Sprint (1300m) won by Master Of Design.

Cambridge 3-year-old Sangster has drawn 10 in the McGrath Gloaming Stakes over 1800m.

- AAP