To cup or not to cup for Plein Ciel

ANTHONY Freedman must decide between a hit-and-run Doomben Cup mission or a spell for Plein Ciel after the improving stayer’s impressive Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) win at Caulfield on Saturday.

The six-year-old defied a seven-day back-up and a 400m rise in distance to claim the $160,000 feature from Furrion and Morton’s Fork after avoiding trouble entering the straight when Magnapal broke down in a forward position.

But Freedman is wary of asking too much of the Irishbred gelding before a tilt at Melbourne’s spring riches.

Plein Ceil, formerly with Darren Weir, has won seven of 14 Australian starts.

“We dodged a bullet on the corner and he was strong all the way to the line,’’ Freedman (pictured) said. “His runs have been good and I just thought he was ready for 2000m.’’

Plein Ciel, raced by Australia Bloodstock, will go to Freedman’s property for a short breather before connections make a decision on the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m).

Freedman’s brother, Michael, won the 2012 Doomben Cup for Australian Bloodstock with Marwingo.