Next year’s Melbourne Cup is a long term aim with Almoonqith but major races in Sydney are also likely targets at the autumn carnival.

Co-trainer Tom Dabernig confirmed Almoonqith would head to the spelling paddock this week after winning Saturday’s Sandown Cup (3200m).

The victory was some consolation for Almoonqith after receiving little luck in the Melbourne Cup following his dominant victory in the Geelong Cup.

Dabernig said Saturday’s win had confirmed Almoonqith could run out a strong two miles, confirming next year’s Melbourne Cup as a logical target.

“Those imports are normally better when they’ve had a full 12 months here in Australia so I think there’s nice improvement with him.”

The stallion will be back in the autumn where a trip to Sydney was firmly on the agenda with Group 1 races such as The BMW (2400m) and the Sydney Cup (3200m) among the possible targets.

“Certainly a race like the Sydney cup will be ideal and he could even kick off in Melbourne and run in an Australian Cup.”