An international sojourn could be on the cards for Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m) winner Ablaze.
Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have already mapped out the New Zealand-bred jumper’s next three targets, and if he performs up to expectations he could find himself on a plane next year.
“We will probably set him for the (Grand) National (Steeplechase, 4500m) at the end of the year and then maybe have another crack at the Jericho (Cup, 4600m) at Warrnambool on the flat. We’d then look at targeting the Annual again.
“If he was successful in those races he would be starting to get up in the weights.
“I mentioned to Rod (Lyons, part-owner) the other night about travelling to maybe Japan or even Europe. He has got a lot of options at the moment.”