Trainer David Vandyke in on a seeking mission with troubled galloper Lamasery.

While Sydney gelding has won at 2400m in the past, Vandyke wants to see him do it against true talent in the Group 2 $350,000 Zipping Classic (2400m) on the Sandown Hillside on Saturday.

A good performance will give the trainer confidence that the five-year-old can be aimed at the Group 1 $2.25m BMW (2400m) at Rosehill in April and later down the track, the 2012 Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

Lamasery, a $9 chance with Tabsportsbet in the field of five, will come up against 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain the $1.45 favourite as well as three other runners – Mourayan ($3.80), Saptapadi ($81) and Manighar ($7).

While Americain under the weight-for-age scale, is well off, Vandyke believes his task isn’t easy.

“Americain has to come back from 3200m to 2400m in less than two weeks,” Vandyke said.

“At the weights and given his form Americain should win this but it’s definitely a query.”

Lamasery, a winner of ten of 17 starts, progressed well during the spring before feet trouble retarded his progress.

Vandyke was hoping for a Melbourne Cup berth and set the Commands gelding to compete in the Bendigo Cup before being rulesd out by stewards.

Connections had to settle for little fish on Cup day when picking up the LR Johnnie Walker Stakes (1800m) at Flemington.

Vandyke nominated Lamasery for the Zipping Classic and Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) this Saturday but believed the former would give him a better future outlook with the galloper.

“If we had of run in the Eclipse we wouldn’t have learned much,” Vandyke said.

“In the Zipping we’re going to see if he can mix it at weight-for-age and if he can run a strong 2400m.

“I don’t think the BMW would be much stronger than the Zipping Classic given that Americain would have to be the best stayer at level weights in the country.”