Red Galaxy is on trial for a trip to Brisbane when he runs at Sandown.
Greg Eurell and the connections of Red Galaxy were eyeing a softer option at Sandown, but when that race did not turn out as expected they switched to a tougher contest.
Red Galaxy was nominated in both the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Handicap and the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap, both over 1400m on Saturday, with the latter race the option.
And if successful in the chosen 1400m contest, a trip north for the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 14 could be on the agenda.
"We nominated for both the benchmark 84 and the benchmark 100, both over 1400 metres, and we weren't even going to get a run in the 84," Eurell said.
"So luckily, we had him in the 100 as well, so we had to swing that way.
"I spoke to the owner and we both agreed that this race on Saturday is a very good test for him and if he can mix it with them on Saturday, he's probably worthy of going north, and if he can't then we can stay here.
"He's got a good weight, he's drawn OK, so it will be interesting to see how he measures up."
Eurell concedes it is a big rise in class for Red Galaxy on Saturday who will be lining up for only his sixth start, having registered three wins.
The rising five-year-old scored first-up in a benchmark 70 race at Sale on May 4 and Eurell has taken Red Galaxy along quietly throughout his career due to maturity issues.
"He's typical of that bigger horse," Eurell said.
"He'd have a prep, he'd start feeling his knees, so you tip him out, next time his fetlocks, so out he goes again.
"Everything's clean, but it's just a maturity thing that we've had to ride out with him, but we're at a point now this campaign where it has been smooth sailing.
"It's a big step on Saturday, but I think he's a quality horse.
"His work leading into this has been good. He's a big, strong horse and now he copes with everything very, very well and hopefully our patience will be rewarded.
"I like the horse, and it will be interesting to see where he gets to."
