Trainer David Hayes says Changingoftheguard has him guessing heading into the autumn but was thrilled with how he competed against another English stayer, Our Aqaleem, in an exhibition gallop at Sandown.The stablemates, who are set to clash in next month's Australian Cup (2000m), impressed Hayes on Wednesday when they sprinted home stylishly over the last 600 metres of a 1600-metre workout.Our Aqaleem is already prominent in TAB Sportsbet's Australian Cup betting at $11 after charging home to wi

Trainer David Hayes says Changingoftheguard has him guessing heading into the autumn but was thrilled with how he competed against another English stayer, Our Aqaleem, in an exhibition gallop at Sandown.

The stablemates, who are set to clash in next month's Australian Cup (2000m), impressed Hayes on Wednesday when they sprinted home stylishly over the last 600 metres of a 1600-metre workout.

Our Aqaleem is already prominent in TAB Sportsbet's Australian Cup betting at $11 after charging home to win the Henry Bucks Best Dressed (1600m) at Flemington on January 30 at his first run for 2-1/2 years.

Changingoftheguard, who was a controversial scratching from last year's Melbourne Cup, is at $26 for the Australian Cup and makes his Australian debut in the Group Two St George Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on February 20.

"The St George will be a `look and see' day for him," Hayes said.

"First-up 1800 metres is a bit of an ask but if continues the way he is I think he will be right in Australian Cup contention.

"I'm thrilled with him at the moment.

"He has put on 40kg since the spring and he looks a classy horse to me."

Hayes said he rated Changingoftheguard's gallop at Sandown equal if not marginally superior to that of Our Aqaleem.

"Our Aqaleem showed us what he's made of 10 days ago and I thought Changingoftheguard shaded him today," Hayes said.

Ridden by Glen Boss, Changingoftheguard worked off two lengths ahead of his stablemate and galloped well within himself.

He finished a neck in front of Our Aqaleem, ridden by Steven Arnold, who ran his last 600 metres in 34.77 seconds but Hayes liked the style of Changingoftheguard who ran 35.45s.

"They were out to run a leisurely mile, improving their last 600 metres and they ran home in 34.77, which is pretty sharp considering," Hayes said.

"You could see the jockeys didn't give them a searching gallop."

Changingoftheguard has raced seven times for two wins and three placings but hasn't started since finishing sixth to Mastery in the St Leger at Doncaster in England in September.

Hayes said Our Aqaleem would also be nominated for the St George but was likely to go into the Australian Cup without another run.

"He had a blow today and if that brings him on and he doesn't blow at his next gallop he will go straight into the Cup," Hayes said.

"If he could win first-up at a mile after 2-1/2 years he can over 2000 metres after five weeks," Hayes said.

Hayes' gun sprinter Eagle Falls was exhilarating in his 1000m gallop and, ridden by Damien Oliver, ran home his last 600m in a blistering 32.25s.

Eagle Falls will resume in the Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 20.