Imported stayer Sysmo will step back up to 2000 metres for the first time this preparation when he contests the Listed ATC Cup (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Trainer Tony McEvoy believes that Sysmo is just as good as his stablemate Mouro who won the Eclipse Stakes at Caulfield in impressive fashion a fortnight ago. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Sysmo competed over 2000 metres last preparation, finishing sixth in the Listed Japan Racing Association Plate (2000m) at Royal Randwick and the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap (2100m) at Eagle Farm, but this campaign has not competed above a mile.

The My Risk gelding started his campaign with a third place finish behind Nearest To Pin in the Detmold Group Handicap (1250m) at Morphettville Parks before winning the Listed Seymour Cup (1600m) and finishing third in the Secondbite Plate (1600m) at Flemington on Emirates Stakes Day.

Sysmo’s stablemate Mouro progressed from winning the Sale Cup to taking out the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Zipping Classic Day and trainer Tony McEvoy is confident that Sysmo can make the same step-up in class.

“I don’t think there’s much between him and Mouro,” McEvoy told AAP.

“Their race records would say there is, but my knowledge of them is that they are very similar.”

McEvoy is yet to outline an exact autumn campaign for Sysmo but said that he would like to give the four-year-old a chance over a staying trip at Group level; with races like the Group 1 The BMW (2400m) and Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) potentially on the agenda for the imported galloper.

“I want to give him a chance in some nice races from 2000 metres to 2400 metres in the autumn,” McEvoy said.

“Where they will be I’m not sure yet.”

Sysmo had three race starts in France in 2011 before he joined McEvoy’s stable  and made Australian racing debut at the start of 2012; winning the Frank Keen Handicap (1400m) at Morphettville Parks before finishing an unlucky sixth in the Termimesh Handicap (1800m).

He made his Group debut with a fifth place finish behind Shanghai Warrior in the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) during the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival and was given another chance at Group level when he finished third behind Quintessential and Rothera in the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap during the 2013 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.

Sysmo will need to be at his best in the ATC Cup; with the final acceptances expected to include Fulgur, Secessio and Hoylonny.