Xtension's future on line in National Day Cup as Moore revs up his stars

With a host of John Moore-trained stars still cooling their heels on the sidelines, one whose star has faded, Xtension, will be racing for his career when he resumes in Tuesday's National Day Cup.

Moore will wait for later in the month to unleash fellow international Group One winners Military Attack and Dan Excel - but Xtension has been relegated to the ranks of horses needing to "qualify for international day", in the words of their trainer, along with stablemates and fellow National Day Cup entrants Destined For Glory and Admiration.

Xtension is a two-time international Group One winner - taking the Champions Mile in 2011 and 2012 - but the striking stallion only showed glimpses of his best last season as he struggled with a bacterial infection.

"If he is not competitive off his mark, the owner Steven Lo [Kit-sing] has given me the go ahead to retire him," Moore said, citing a possible stud career for the handsome type as a factor in making the decision.

"I don't want to have put in a situation where his form is just deteriorating and no one wants to know about him. He is a dual Group One winner at a mile and he does have some value, so we will retire him quick smart so we don't lose that value.

"Let's see whether he is still competitive - he used to be so genuine. Now, he is struggling to get anywhere near his best form.

"This run, and possibly over a mile on October 27, will tell us where he is at. I don't want to see him drop through the ratings - he has done a fabulous job for the stable."

Weichong Marwing has been booked to ride Xtension, while Tye Angland will take a rare ride for the stable when he partners Admiration, another entire whose application Moore has questioned. "Admiration might have been a different horse had he been gelded, but he has something to offer as a stallion with his pedigree," Moore said.

"We haven't decided whether we head to the sprint or mile with him, this will help us make up our mind."

Destined For Glory, with in-form Derek Leung Ka-chun to ride, was an encouraging third in the Chief Executive's Cup at the season opener, and steps up to a seemingly more suitable 1,400 metres.

"He will benefit from that run and the distance is more in keeping with what he needs. With the weight he will be carrying, I think he will be an each-way chance," Moore said.

Moore has four runners in the Sha Tin Sprint Trophy - Zac Purton to ride Frederick Engels, Marwing on Captain Sweet, Eddy Lai Wai-ming gets the lightweight ride on Straight Gold and Irish rookie Colm O'Donoghue gets a golden opportunity on Charles The Great.

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