Minsk Moment enters unchartered territory, but trainer Adam Durrant is cautiously optimistic about his winning chances at Belmont on Saturday.
The well-travelled five-year-old resumes in the Listed Beaufine Stakes and at career start number 20 he tackles the 1000m sprint trip for the first time.
The best of Minsk Moment’s six wins came in the Listed Carbine Stakes (1400m) and the $100,000 Easingwold Stakes (1400m) at Ascot when last in work for Durrant .
A son of I Am Invincible, Minsk Moment is back with Durrant after an unsuccessful spring campaign in Melbourne last year for original trainer, Chris Waller.
He ran seventh in the Bobbie Lewis at Flemington (1200m) and refused to leave the gates in the Weekend Hussler (1400m) at Caulfield.
Despite the distance query, Minsk Moment looks in good order to tackle the Beaufine Stakes first up after impressing in Lark Hill trials.
He has sparkled with a hat trick of sharp 950m heat wins and completed preparations with powerful last-to-first surge two weeks back.
Durrant is not sure if Minsk Moment can win the Beaufine Stakes, but he is certain he will be running a top race.
“It’s a hard one, obviously trials aren’t races, however, he’s put together three nice trials,” Durrant told Tabradio.
“We planned this race for his first up run, possibly not in mind winning, but running a really good race.
“I’ve trained him a little bit different this time in and he seems really sharp.
“He looks outstanding and a real speed horse and we’ve trained him accordingly.
“I expect him to run well, but I can’t sit here and say I expect him to win.
“You have to draw a line through on what he beat in the trials to say how good he went.
“There was not a huge amount of horses in the trial that you’d say would step out in the Beaufine and win it.
“But, it’s an even Beaufine this year and I can’t get him any better.
“On his training on Tuesday they are certainly going to know he’s about, that’s for sure.
“We’re looking for a good closing run, he’ll be ridden quietly early and hurry home hopefully.”
Minsk Moment jumps from barrier two for William Pike and has been backed into favouritism.
He’s tightened from $6 to $3.90.
Durrant won the Beaufine Stakes with Ma Ma Machine in 2009.
Pike’s aiming for his fourth success after booting home Essential Spice (2020), Military Reign (2016) and Megem’s Boy (2012).