Where to next for Gold Trip?

Race favourite Gold Trip’s luckless run in Saturday’s Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) has connections full of confidence heading into the spring features, but exactly which way he will head remains up in the air.

“The plan was to go to the Caulfield Cup, I’d assume that’s still the case, but I wouldn’t be against lining up in a Cox Plate either, that might be a better option given it’s in three weeks, he’s probably a horse that does enjoy a little gap between his runs,” Jamie Lovett from Australian Bloodstock said.

“Wherever he runs next, I think he’ll run well.”

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained six-year-old endured a tough run in transit but still managed to finish fifth in the Turnbull Stakes after jumping the $3.70 top market hope.

“Jamie (Kah) just had no luck at all, it was always going to be a bit tricky from that gate, but she tried everything – she went forward then had to come back,” Lovett said.

“I think he was three and four wide the entire trip and still had the audacity to make a run at them.

“He’s right in play as to the big features, we’re really excited about him. He’s a horse that we’ve said for a long time was a Group 1 horse and I feel that if he gets his opportunity in one of the big features, they’ll certainly know he’s there.”

WATCH: Gold Trip in the Turnbull Stakes

A potential decision to head to the Cox Plate (2040m) could see Gold Trip meet fellow Australian Bloodstock-owned import Top Ranked, who dead heated the Group 1 Epsom (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday with Ellsberg.

“He’ll certainly take improvement out of that run being second up after a long time,” Lovett said.

“We’re delighted, he’s certainly shown us yesterday what we thought, that he’s top drawer. All roads lead to the Cox Plate now, hopefully if the committee let him in.

“He’s a very consistent horse, obviously a horse with pretty good credentials, he’s raced in some of those better mile races in the UK.

“He’s a high-quality horse, and Annabel’s (Neasham) got an affinity with these European horses. That run will really bring him on and it gives us three weeks into a Cox Plate which looks ideal.”

Gold Trip is a $34 Cox Plate chance with Sportsbet and a $14 Caulfield Cup chance, while Top Ranked is $15 in Cox Plate betting.