A gelding operation looms for Stratcombe if he can't land his first metropolitan win or at the very least go close at Mornington on Monday.The son of 2005 Golden Slipper winner Stratum is up against older gallopers in the JB Medical Lasers 0-68 Hcp (1213m) but trainer Mick Price expects him to be a strong chance.Price avoided running him in Saturday's Listed Creswick Stakes at Flemington believing the better option lay at the Melbourne Racing Club's meeting at Mornington."This is his right race.

A gelding operation looms for Stratcombe if he can't land his first metropolitan win or at the very least go close at Mornington on Monday.

The son of 2005 Golden Slipper winner Stratum is up against older gallopers in the JB Medical Lasers 0-68 Hcp (1213m) but trainer Mick Price expects him to be a strong chance.

Price avoided running him in Saturday's Listed Creswick Stakes at Flemington believing the better option lay at the Melbourne Racing Club's meeting at Mornington.

"This is his right race. I dodged the Creswick because I thought it was too hard for him and this looks a nice race for him," Price said.

"He's a colt I've had a bit of difficulty with. He's a nice horse but he's having a few issues with temperament and, if he doesn't put his best foot forward and go close to winning, then he's some chance to be gelded.

"We've had issues with him at the barrier and then he hurt his hindquarter in the gates and had to have a long time out.

"He's a colt who needs to learn a bit about racing."

Stratcombe was runner-up to Eclair Mystic over 1200 metres at Caulfield at his debut on April last year.

But he wasn't seen again until winning by seven lengths as a long odds-on favourite in a Wangaratta three-year-old maiden over 1000 metres on May 7.

He then ran on strongly for third to General Truce in a 1000m race at Caulfield on May 28.

Stratcombe has drawn barrier five in the field of 15 plus four emergencies and will be ridden by Craig Newitt who also rides stablemate Roses In The Glen in the New Mornington Nissan SV 2YO Fillies No Metro Wins Plate (1213m).

The daughter of Hussonet was 4-1/2 lengths second to the impressive Le Societe at her debut at Sandown on May 25.

"She was beaten by a stakes filly and looks hard to beat. She's going well," Price said.

Roses In The Glen is out of the Danzero mare Zeroza and is from the same family as dual Caulfield Cup placegetter Grey Song and Tonz More Fun, winner ofthe Group Three Jansz.