Consensus has been served by Haunui Farm stallion Iffraaj. She will run at Ruakaka today. Photo / Race Images
Mum-to-be Consensus will take the next step towards a Victorian campaign when she tackles the Patron's Trophy (1200m) at Ruakaka today.
Served by Haunui Farm stallion Iffraaj in the leadup to today's open sprint, Consensus is likely to find her second 1200m race this preparation too short, according to trainer
Stephen McKee, but it is the next stepping stone to a campaign in Australia, where she holds an entry for the A$5 million Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 26.
"It's going to be four weeks since her first-up run but she's really well," McKee said.
"This is another fitness-building race for her and then she'll go to Melbourne for her next one, probably in the Stocks Stakes (Gr.2, 1600m) at Moonee Valley on the 27th. We'll start off there and see how her form goes. She'll stay on right through if her form is good enough."
A winner of the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie in 2016, Consensus has been Group One-placed every year since and won the Gr.2 Sunline Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley in March.
