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Top class import Red Cardinal could be joined by two stablemates when he continues his Sydney Cup campaign in Saturday’s $1.5 million Tancred Stakes at Rosehill.

Trainer Kris Lees is also considering backing up other Sydney Cup hopefuls Big Duke and Doukhan in the Tancred after their excellent performances for second and fifth in last Saturday’s G3 Manion Cup (2400m) over the Tancred course.

“We’ll monitor the track conditions for both,” Lees said before flying out for Dubai where he will saddle Brave Smash in this weekend’s Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan.

Red Cardinal is unbeaten in two starts on rain-affected ground since joining the Lees team. He is stepping up to weight-for-age company in the Tancred but the trainer feels he will cope if the track remains on the soft side.

Lees is leaving a big team to represent him at Rosehill while he does the honours in Dubai.

Coolmore Classic runner-up El Dorado Dreaming (Brenton Avdulla) and Kembla Grange Classic runner-up Frankely Awesome (Jason Collett) will represent the stable in the G1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and Princess Posh and Invincible Gem are likely to run in the G2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m).

Lees is contemplating pitting Frankely Awesome against the colts in the $2 million ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 6 while El Dorado Dreaming’s Vinery performance will determine whether she proceeds to the $1 million Australian Oaks (2400m) on April 13 or reverts to the $1 million Coolmore Legacy (1600m) on the same day.