Desert War stamped himself as the leading weight-for-age performer in Australia with his brilliant all-the-way win in the Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill in Sydney yesterday.
It was the second Group One win for the 6-year-old over 2000m following his victory in the Mackinnon Stakes last spring and trainerGai Waterhouse is now keen to step him up to the 2400m of the BMW in a fortnight.
Waterhouse and Andrew Baddock, owner Eduardo Cojuangco's manager, will talk over the options as Desert War is in the mix for the Doncaster Handicap over 1600m at Randwick, where he has won two Epsom Handicaps.
"I don't see why he won't run in the BMW," Waterhouse said. "It will be the same field. They won't throw a red herring in - they might throw a pie eater in."
Desert War was beaten by 3-year-old He's No Pie Eater in the Chipping Norton Stakes two weeks ago but connections elected to run the latter in next week's Rosehill Guineas.
Last year's Ranvet winner Eremein was absent with a mystery ailment yesterday, leaving Desert War as the raging $1.75 favourite. He took the lead from the outset with Hugh Bowman maintaining a steady pace.
Confectioner gave chase inside the final 300m and momentarily looked as if he might be a threat but Desert War had plenty left and went to the line with 1 1/2 lengths to spare.
"At the 250 I felt the other horse there but mine had another gear," Bowman said.
Imported galloper Soulacroix was the second favourite but his race was over before the home turn and he finished more than six lengths back in sixth.
"He just remembered his old form," owner Paul Makin said.
"He read the formguide and knew he'd never been in a Group One race in his whole life and when they went too fast, he just thought 'what's happening'.
"In the Sydney Cup over two miles (3200m) he will be a different horse."
