Sir Dragonet Targets 2021 Australian Cup

Ladbrokes Cox Plate (G1) winner Sir Dragonet is set for a career at stud in time for the 2021 breeding season, but not before he chases further group 1 success to add to his already glittering CV.

A trip to Hong Kong, however, appears unlikely for the 5-year-old while quarantine measures for travelers remain in place.

"He won't go for a lengthy spell. Now he is a group 1 weight-for-age winner, he does have a value at stud, so that may be an option for him come June, July next year," co-trainer Ciaron Maher told the "Moody on the Mic" podcast, which is hosted by fellow trainer Peter Moody.

"Hong Kong is still on the agenda. I put him in there just in case," he said. "I am probably leaning toward not going, but it is there as an option."

Instead, Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, indicated that he will look to claim two Sydney group 1 events in the autumn.

"He will have a couple of easy weeks. He will stay in work ticking over, he will go Australian Cup (G1), Queen Elizabeth (G1)," Maher said.

The son of Camelot previously raced for Coolmore and trainer Aidan O'Brien, starting favorite for last year's Investec Derby (G1) off the back of an impressive eight-length victory in the MBNA Chester Vase Stakes (G3) at Chester.

He finished fifth at Epsom and didn't land another prize for Ballydoyle despite running some good races—he finished second on his last four starts for O'Brien, including the July 26 Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) at the Curragh.

He was a fair sixth in the Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1) last time, when tackling two miles for the first time.