Plenty to do before departure

IT HAS been well documented New Zealand pacer Cranbourne is on his way to the United States via Australia.

Recently purchased by American owner Steven Finkelstein, Cranbourne's Aussie campaign began with a victory in the Shepparton Cup during the weekend.

In the care of astute horseman David Aiken, the son of Lincoln Royal is scheduled to head across the equator on March 20, with the trainer planning to tackle a host of majors before Cranbourne's departure.

Having already nominated the six-year-old for Saturday night's Ballarat Cup, Aiken will target the A G Hunter Cup on February 4 before switching his focus to Club Menangle's Carnival Of Miracles.

Headlined by the Australasia's premier sprint - $1m Garrards Miracle Mile - the Carnival begins on February 17.

"He's pulled up brilliantly from the Shepparton Cup, so I've already nominated him for Ballarat," Aiken said.

"It'll be the Hunter Cup next before we go to Sydney to try and get into the Miracle Mile.

"He flies out to America a few weeks after that and I'm hoping to make the trip with him.

"I reckon I've earned a couple of weeks off so it will be a bit of a working holiday, but good to be away."

Driven by Nathan Jack, Cranbourne led throughout from barrier four to score by a half-neck from I Cast No Shadow, which trailed the front runner.

Interest Free was 14 metres away third in 1:59.5 over 2690 metres.