The Auckland Cup is among the options being considered for Ironstein who begins his new campaign at Randwick on Boxing Day.The five-year-old is by renowned sire of stayers Zabeel and stamped his potential earlier this year with victory in the Listed Caloundra Cup at his first attempt at 2400 metres.The Gerald Ryan-trained gelding backed it up with a close third in the Grafton Cup (2350m) won by Twin Wing.He then went for a spell at part-owner John Singleton's Strawberry Hill Stud and at his firs

The Auckland Cup is among the options being considered for Ironstein who begins his new campaign at Randwick on Boxing Day.

The five-year-old is by renowned sire of stayers Zabeel and stamped his potential earlier this year with victory in the Listed Caloundra Cup at his first attempt at 2400 metres.

The Gerald Ryan-trained gelding backed it up with a close third in the Grafton Cup (2350m) won by Twin Wing.

He then went for a spell at part-owner John Singleton's Strawberry Hill Stud and at his first appearance since Grafton ran second in a barrier trial at Rosehill on Tuesday.

He will take his place in the Randwick Betting Auditorium Handicap (1400m) carrying 58.5kg after Josh Adams' two-kilo allowance.

Markets have his two stablemates Top Drop and Therock vying for favouritism and his trainer is looking long term.

"He has come back a bigger and stronger horse," Ryan said.

"He looks terrific and he trialled well.

"There are options for him like Tasmania in February but perhaps even the Auckland Cup."

The Auckland Cup is one of only three Group One 3200-metre races left in Australasia, the others being the Sydney Cup and the Melbourne Cup.

The Anthony Cummings-trained Zavite made a successful raid on the Auckland showpiece in March this year.

Ryan has pleasant memories of his last trip to Ellerslie when Recurring took out the 2005 Group One Railway Handicap (1200m).

Singleton bred Ironstein from his mare Gentle Genius. She was the winner of four races but perhaps her biggest moment came when she ran Sunline to a neck in the 2002 Coolmore Classic.

Ironstein did his early racing in the care of Brian Jenkins in Victoria and was sent to Ryan when the decision was made to bring him to NSW.

He arrived with a few problems and Ryan removed all the corrective gear and started from scratch, with the desired effect.

A 2011 spring Cups campaign in Melbourne has long been the intention for Ironstein who has raced just 15 times for five wins and four placings.