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The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra stable have struck a recent good run of form and will be hoping to parlay that into a stakes race victory through double representation in the $140,000 Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
The Ellerton-Zahra team struck with a double at last Saturday's Flemington meeting and will have Prezado and Sword Of Mercy contesting this weekend's feature at headquarters.
The performances of both sprinters on Saturday will determine whether Group 1 sprints next month could be potential targets for the pair.
Prezado could line up in the Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington on February 13 with Sword Of Mercy a possibility for the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield a week later.
A total of 17 sprinters have been nominated for Saturday's sprint including last start Flemington winner Fabergino who defeated Prezado over 1000m on December 12.
Zahra said Prezado had headed to their 'farm' at Yangaburra, near Hanging Rock.
"He went up the farm for 10 days. He trialled here on Friday and he's right to go now," Zahra said.
"And if he's competitive on Saturday we'll have a crack at the Lightning."
Prezado is a 1000m specialist along with being a straight course specialist with five of his six wins coming on Flemington's straight track.
Five of Prezado's last six runs have been on the Flemington straight track, netting three wins and two minor placings.
On the otherhand Sword Of Mercy has struck winning form, scoring twice this campaign including a first-up win over Saturday's course and distance on December 19 in a benchmark 78 race before winning at Caulfield on January 2.
Zahra said success on Saturday was important to her future as a broodmare adding all-important 'black type' to her page.
"If she goes alright and is competitive, we'll look at sending her up the farm and maybe have a crack at the Oakleigh Plate," Zahra said.
"She's got to go up another level, so we'll see what happens with the both of them.
"Saturday's race will help us determine where their futures lay."
With a handicap rating of 102, Prezado is the second-highest rated galloper in Saturday's race behind Perth mare Fabergino on 108.
A total of 219 horses have been nominated across the nine races programmed for Saturday.
Warm weather has resulted in a Good4 track rating at nomination stage on Monday while cooler weather is predicted later in the week, with 19c forecast for Saturday.
