An early decision to send Mr Maestro to Australia will give the gifted three-year-old every opportunity to stamp himself as a classic contender as the season unfolds.
The well-bred Andrew Forman-trained son of Savabeel will cross the Tasman tomorrow morning and, all going well, will open his Victorian campaign in a 1200m age group event at Sandown on Sunday.
Mr Maestro impressed last season during a light preparation and followed up a debut fifth with success at Avondale before finishing third in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) behind Sharp 'N' Smart, subsequently also a black-type placegetter during the Queensland winter carnival.
"He's bred to get over a bit of ground and we thought that if we were to give him a realistic chance to get through to the Group 1 VRC Derby [2500m] then there were probably no options here," Forsman said yesterday.
"We decided to bite the bullet and get him over there early and get a few runs into him and hopefully he can hit his straps when he gets to a mile and further.