SCONE trainer Brett Cavanough and connections of Fender have a decision to make - sell the impressive three-year-old to interests in Hong Kong or push on towards the $1.3 million Kosciuszko in the spring.
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Fenderer enhanced his credentials with a powerful win in the Highway Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday - a race restricted to country gallopers.
It was the gelding's third straight win and followed two at Muswellbrook which were spaced a month apart.
Cavanough said interest in Fender, which is owned by Anne McHardy and David Ceglar, from Hong Kong had been high before Saturday's win.
"He is owned by a couple of my really good buddies and their partners," Cavanough said. "I trained his mother as well. It's like winning a big one today with that horse. One owner, Anne, she gets a bit anxious. She wants to know who is riding him and how much he ate last night. David, he just trusts me. It's good to win a race for two good people.
"Now we have to fend off Hong Kong. I don't know what we'll do with him. Is he a Kosciuszko horse? Is he a Hong Kong horse? He could be anything."
The $1.3 million Kosciuszko (120m) is at Randwick on October 17 as part of the support program for The Everest.
On Saturday, Fender ($12) jumped well from gate 10 to settle outside leader Toro Toro ($4.40 fav). The gelding burst into the clear at the 300 metre mark and went on to score by a half length. Hellenism ($6.50) was a length further back third.
"I was a bit worried about gate 10," Cavanough said. "I had sparred him up with a couple at home which were going pretty good. I'm really happy with him."
Jockey Jason Collett, who rode a double, said Fender had "relaxed" during the run.
"He has a lovely attitude and he has a bit of class about him," Collett said.
Meanwhile, Kris Lees trained Le Romain showed promising signs with an eye-catching fourth in the group 3 Hall Marks Stakes (1200m).
Having his first run since a bleeding attack in the $1 million Hunter at Newcastle in November, the three time group-1 winner copped a knock at the 800m, travelled behind the leading bunch and powered to the line.
He finished three lengths behind winner Greyworm ($5).
Lees admitted before the race that the seven-year-old's career was at a crossroads but was confident he would "benefit from the run for his next outing".
Fellow stable star In Her Time ($9) was a half a length behind Le Romain in fifth. She flashed home but would have been better suited with a quicker tempo up front.
Greyworm's co-trainer Michael Hawkes said the win was testatment to the five year old's determination.
"He is just a pure racehorse. When they get to him, he just seems to find more and that is what he's about," Hawkes said.
"He's beaten some pretty handy horses there behind him but he is a pretty handy horse himself. Today was his test, he has never been up against this calibre of horse before."