Sydney is the preferred weekend destination for Spechenka, the in-form Queensland stayer who will be out to extend an impressive winning sequence.Spechenka has been nominated for races in Sydney and Brisbane but trainer Ben Ahrens has already decided to target the Listed Christmas Cup at Rosehill."I nominated him for Brisbane as a back-up but at this stage we'll be heading to Sydney," Ahrens said."With a lot of flooding about, there could be a chance of the roads being cut so I've put him in the

Sydney is the preferred weekend destination for Spechenka, the in-form Queensland stayer who will be out to extend an impressive winning sequence.

Spechenka has been nominated for races in Sydney and Brisbane but trainer Ben Ahrens has already decided to target the Listed Christmas Cup at Rosehill.

"I nominated him for Brisbane as a back-up but at this stage we'll be heading to Sydney," Ahrens said.

"With a lot of flooding about, there could be a chance of the roads being cut so I've put him in the Eagle Farm race as a bit of insurance."

A five-year-old, Spechenka, along with the veteran Victorian stayer Fast Future, will add interstate interest to the Christmas Cup, a $100,000 Listed race.

Spechenka has won his past three Brisbane starts, graduating to open company with wins over 2400 and 2200 metres at Eagle Farm when ridden by Jim Byrne.

Byrne was desperate to follow Spechenka south but with Saturday's Eagle Farm meeting offering five stakes races, the leading jockey will try to cash in at home.

Tim Clark has been booked for the ride.

Ahrens, who is making his way as a trainer after abandoning a career as a physiotherapist, described Spechenka as "a good stayer" who won't be fazed by a jump in class to interstate stakes grade.

"Probably my biggest concern ahead of Saturday is the travelling," Ahrens said.

"He's not the greatest traveller ... he can get a bit stirred up in the float.

"It's going to be all a bit different for him this week but if he settles in well I would expect him to run a decent race."

Chris Waller was expected to rely on Alexander Of Hales and Bellagio Wynn as his Cup runners but the Rosehill trainer has added last Saturday's quinella pair of Beijing Boy and Strike One to his stable's entry.

Nominations have been extended until Tuesday but as they stood on Monday, Gai Waterhouse's Rock Kingdom will be topweight with a 104 rating.

Rock Kingdom ran his best race in 12 months whennarrowly beaten by Macknuckle in the Canberra Cup.

Corey Brown will ride Rock Kingdom with stable jockey Nash Rawiller in Hong Kong.