The immediate future of Monkstone will be decided in the Download the Sportingbet App Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield tomorrow with the $1 million colt needing to impress trainer Peter Moody to remain in work for a 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign.

The Fastnet Rock colt was very impressive on debut in the Procal Dairies Handicap (1000m) at Caulfield a fortnight ago, coming from the back of the field to finish an eye-catching second and run the second fastest last 200 metres of the day.

Moody said he was surprised with Monkstone’s performance and believes the rising three-year-old is a leading contender for the two-year-olds handicap tomorrow.

“He is a bit of a soft colt and his work at home is probably only just but he went to the races and ran extremely well which is a great sign,” Moody told Racing Ahead.

“I think he will take great benefit experience wise from that run.

“If he steps away clearly tomorrow without any interference he will get his chance to hold a front half position and if he finishes off like he did the other day he will be very competitive.”

Moody told Racing Ahead that he is yet to make any future plans for the Coolmore-owned colt and said he will reassess his options after tomorrow’s race.

“His performance will dictate whether we have a crack at something during the spring or his has an extended break and is aimed at the autumn,” the leading trainer said.

“If he comes out and is quite impressive tomorrow we might be able to say that we can aim him at certain races.”

Monkstone missed the start badly on debut and will make his task very difficult if he does the same thing from barrier one on Saturday.

Moody said he is not worried about drawing the inside gate and is confident the poor start was a one off.

“Luke (Nolen) felt that the trouble was brought about by other horses at the start the other day at, not this horse himself,” Moody said.

“I would rather be in one than twelve.”