Lightning stakes plans for Caulfield Guineas winner Starspangledbanner could hinge on a country barrier trial later this month.Jockey Dan Nikolic has told the connections of the Leon Corstens trained three-year-old to keep an open mind when making autumn plans for the exciting galloper.Starspangledbanner was spelled after his dominant 2-3/4 length Guineas win on October 10 and he is likely trial after the races at Kyneton on January 10."I have told them to keep an open mind about him," Nikolic s

Lightning stakes plans for Caulfield Guineas winner Starspangledbanner could hinge on a country barrier trial later this month.

Jockey Dan Nikolic has told the connections of the Leon Corstens trained three-year-old to keep an open mind when making autumn plans for the exciting galloper.

Starspangledbanner was spelled after his dominant 2-3/4 length Guineas win on October 10 and he is likely trial after the races at Kyneton on January 10.

"I have told them to keep an open mind about him," Nikolic said.

"He is a horse who wins by dictating out in front and sort of runs them in to the ground a little bit."

Nikolic rode Starspangledbanner in a track gallop last Thursday and was impressed with how well the horse looked.

"He has come back bigger and stronger and looks terrific," Nikolic said.

"His attitude is good and I'm happy with him."

Nikolic said races up to 1600 metres were Starspangledbanner's best targets.

"He would be competitive in the Lightning because he is a class horse but I will know a lot more after I trial him," Nikolic said.

"That will give me a guide whether he should go the Lightning or look at something else."

The Group One Lightning Stakes (1000m) is at Flemington on January 30.

Corstens' son Troy said a decision on Starspangledbanner's autumn program would be made in the next fortnight.

"He looks awesome," he said. "He is an imposing animal."

"Danny's not sure that the 1000 metres is going to suit him this time in but we will work out where we head with him in the next two weeks.

"We have an open mind."

Corstens said the Group One Futurity Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield on February 27 and the Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) on March 6 were among the options for Starspangledbanner as was the Doncaster Mile (1600m) in Sydney.