WILL O'BRIEN'S PLANS PAY OFF?

Two long-term plans will culminate for trainer Danny O'Brien at Caulfield on Saturday.

And he's hopeful it will secure one a future as a stallion with a Group 1 win and the other a spot in this year's Caulfield Cup.

O'Brien will saddle up four-year-old Banquo, pictured, in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, while Caulfield Cup aspirant Orderofthegarter will contest the win-and-you're-in MRC Foundation Cup (2000m).

Orderofthegarter, a $4 chance with Sportsbet, has drawn in barrier four for Damien Oliver.

"It's a race we've had in mind for him all through the winter. It's a big day for him," O'Brien said.

"If he wins it obviously opens up the Caulfield Cup and he is very lightly weighted in that race.

"He's had the perfect preparation, both runs have been ideal and he gets to the race in perfect shape."

Orderofthegarter currently has 50kg for the Caulfield Cup.

Banquo ($12), who has impressed in both runs this campaign, has drawn barrier six for Jye McNeil.

"I'm very happy with him. We've had this as a long-range target for him and everything is falling into place," O'Brien said.

"He needed to run first or second last week to get into the field and he ran second and got in. We always thought the seven-day back-up was just the perfect prep for him and we've drawn a gate, which is a positive.

"He's a lightly raced horse that still hasn't reached his ceiling.

"He is a spring four-year-old, he is ready and because of that he is well handicapped. He is down on the minimum weight."

Story by Ryan Reynolds for Racing.com