Distinction has Doncaster aim

Distinction is likely to go for next month's GNER Doncaster Cup, given suitable ground, before being prepared for the Emirates Melbourne Cup.

The Michael Stoute-trained six-year-old finished runner-up to Millenary in the Lonsdale Cup at York on Tuesday when it was felt conditions went against him.

The Group Two Doncaster Cup over two and a quarter miles on September 8 is being considered for Distinction, whose main objective is the Melbourne Cup on November 1.

“Take nothing away from the winner (Millenary), who is a very good horse on his day, but the going on the first day at York was sticky. Mick (Kinane) said he wasn’t striding out with his usual fluency,” said Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.

“He’s absolutely fine and he is likely to have one run before he goes into quarantine. “He’ll go for the Doncaster Cup as long as the ground is good or faster.

“It would be nice to win another one to help pay for the trip to Australia! There’s a lot of prize money on offer with £1.2m (€1.8m) for the winner, so it's worth going for.

“We’ll see what happens when the weights come out and what the handicapper does to him.

“He’s won the Goodwood Cup and proved himself at that level.”

Distinction collected nearly £38,000 (€56,122) when sixth to Makybe Diva in the Australian showpiece last year.