Jeff McVean and Emma-Lee Browne are looking forward to Stratocaster’s first distance test in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas.

The father and daughter training partnership were a lot more pleased with the three-year-old’s effort on Karaka Million night and believe he will relish his next assignment on Saturday week at Ellerslie.

Fifth in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas, Stratocaster was unplaced at Tauranga when resuming before he finished third behind Volkstok’n’barrell and Rockfast in the Karaka 3YO Mile.

“He lost a shoe in the race and that was a much better run than the previous one,” Browne said.

“He will enjoy getting up over more ground in the Avondale Guineas and as long as he goes well he will run in the Derby.”

The stable was also delighted by Blizzard’s effort for second in the Karaka Stayers’ Cup in his first appearance since he finished fourth in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup at Riccarton in November.

“He went super and just blew out the last bit, but it was a while between runs so that was to be expected,” Browne said.

“It will be the Avondale Cup next for him and he will strip a little fitter for that and then the Auckland Cup.”

Meanwhile, his Group One-winning stablemate Rollout The Carpet will have two immediate opportunities to add to her tally at the top level.

She will take in Saturday’s NRM Sprint at Te Rapa before heading to Otaki on February 21 for the Haunui Farm WFA Classic.

The winner of the NZ 1000 Guineas in 2012, Rollout The Carpet’s career has been plagued by setbacks and the stable was satisfied with her effort for third over 1200 metres at Ellerslie last time out.

“She’s come through it well so we’re looking at Otaki and she will love the mile,” Browne said.