In-form Melbourne galloper Sea Galleon has been installed $3.40 favourite with Tabsportsbet  for his first foray north in Saturday’s Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) at Rosehill.

The son of Gallieo is after a hat-trick of wins after comfortable victories at Moonee Valley and Sandown Hillside in November.

It will be the third state Sea Galleon has raced in but the first time he will be asked to race in the clockwise direction.

The five-year-old ran third in the S A Derby at Morphettville as a three-year-old but now gets another chance at interstate success.

Co-trainer Cindy Alderson says Saturday’s race is a test to see how her charge handles the clockwise direction before embarking a possible tilt at both the 2012 Sydney and Brisbane Cups.

Alderson said Sea Galleon has shown a natural aptitude for racing right-handed on the training track.

“This certainly is a test for the Sydney and Brisbane Cups for him,” she said.

“All the reports that we have had from his track riders say he is a natural over the reverse way of going.

“But you just want to see them do it in races to be sure.

“He worked the reverse way on Tuesday and switched onto his Sydney leg as soon as he cantered off, which is a positive.”

Rain is expected to fall in Sydney for the rest of the week which plays perfectly for the wet tracker.

Jockey Glyn Schofield has been engaged to take the ride aboard Sea Galleon.

Alderson co-trains with her father veteran trainer Colin Alderson.

The Peter Snowden-trained Yulalona is on the second line in the market at $3.80.

He finished a good second to Zara Dancer in the Listed Frank Underwood (1900m) at Canterbury last start.

Many from that race are running in this race on Saturday including Count Encosta and Scottish Rebel who both finished well that day.

TABsportsbet have Count Encosta at $8 with Scottish Rebel at $9.50.

Hawkesbury trainer Garry Frazer believes Scottish Rebel is a strong chance despite being unproven at the trip.

“He has had one go at the trip in the Newcastle Cup,” Frazer said.

“He came from second last on the corner and ran third.

“I’m hoping he will win on Saturday.

“We are not going there to make up the numbers, that’s for sure.”

It will be Scottish Border’s fifth run this campaign.

“He only got beat a length at Canterbury last start, so that run was good,” Frazer said.

“He will be getting somewhere near peak fitness for Saturday now.”

Mitchell Bell will ride Scottish Border.

Bell had ridden the five-year-old on when third in the Goulburn Cup (1600m) on November 18.

“I’m very happy Mitchell will be riding him’’ Frazier said.

“He has been riding very well lately so hopefully he will continue that on race day.”