William Haggas keeping options open with Post Impressionist

UK raider Post Impressionist has been paid up for the Group One Tancred Stakes at Rosehill, but a final decision on whether he backs up won’t be made until later this week.

The William Haggas-trained stayer made a big impression when sweeping home to capture the N E Manion Cup at his Australian debut on Saturday, prompting connections to consider a quick turnaround into this weekend’s feature.

Tom Marquand has been booked for Saturday’s race and says the Tancred Stakes (2400m) looks a nice option, but connections will make a call based on what is best for the horse.

“It’s obviously hard to back up after a long layoff, but it’s pretty enticing when you see a Group One like that,” Marquand said.

“He’ll tell us what he’s able to do, but the Haggas team usually make the right decision so I’m sure they will again.

“He’s done really well since coming here. Some come down and stay the same, and some just seem to thrive. He seems to be one of those horses that has really stepped into himself.

“That turn of foot (in the Manion Cup) we’ve not seen from him before. He has been a progressive looking horse, but without doing something like that.”

If Post Impressionistdoesn’t run at Rosehill, he will head to his original target of the Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on April 13.

The gelding currently has 52kg in the Sydney Cup after incurring a 2kg penalty for his Manion Cup win, but weights will need to be raised further to meet the handicap’s requirements, opening the door for Marquand to partner him should he go straight to the staying feature.

The horse is unlikely to run in both the Tancred Stakes (2400m) and Sydney Cup (3200m).

A final field of 11 has been declared for the $1.5 million Tancred Stakes (2400m), including Chris Waller-trained pair Buckaroo and More Felons, while three-year-old Tom Kitten will aim to become the first of his age group to win since Fiveandahalfstar in 2013.