Starcraft put himself on course for a tilt at the Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday week by pleasing trainer Luca Cumani with a workout on the all-weather at Southwell.

The five-year-old galloped round the bends on the fibresand surface under Cumani's assistant Guillermo Arizkorreta with three stable companions.

The Prix du Moulin winner was settled at the back of the group in the seven-furlong gallop before making smooth headway down the home straight to easily take up the running with a furlong left to run.

"I was pleased with that - he seemed to go on the surface but I was hoping for a bit more kickback," said Cumani.

"He has got a bit on his chest and legs but as he is so much bigger than the others, his head was above the kickback in his face.

"I told him (Arizkorreta) to follow the other horses round and he came through as he should have.

"It looks like he will be going for the Classic - I think he could win the Mile and I hope he will be good enough in the mile and a quarter.

"We just wanted to give him a taste of the surface and this is as near as you can get to the American surface in England."

Starcraft, owned by Australian Paul Makin, was last seen lowering Dubawi's colours in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Newmarket last month and will head out to New York on Saturday.

"He came out of his last race very well and everything has gone smoothly," Cumani continued.

Pat Valenzuela will be aboard Starcraft in the Classic, and the Newmarket handler added: "He is a very good jockey. I haven't had a chance to talk to him yet but I am sure we will do so next week."