Australian star Criterion could end up running in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe if he dazzles at Royal Ascot.
David Hayes, who trains the four-year-old in partnership with his nephew Tom Dabernig, accepts a visit to Longchamp in the autumn is remote, but a big performance in either the Prince of Wales's Stakes or the Queen Anne Stakes could force his hand.
He said: "It (the Arc) is not a real target at the moment, but if he was to win at Royal Ascot and the owner wanted to do that then it keeps our option open.
"We would only go to the race if he was in brilliant form and was one of the favourites, which would mean that he is performing well in Europe.
"It's always wet the Arc, which would be in his favour, and it would just be such a thrill.
"It would be on every owner and trainer's bucket list to have a horse capable of competing in the Arc but it's only a long shot.
"The preferred option at the moment is for one run in England, maybe two, then give him a spell in the UK and come back through quarantine at Werribee and set him for the Cox Plate."
Criterion has won three Group Ones, which included a comprehensive defeat of Red Cadeaux in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick in April, during a lucrative career.
The Sebring colt was transferred England after he finished third in the QEII Cup at Sha Tin, but it has not been plain-sailing since his arrival at John Gosden's Clarehaven yard.
"He had a bit of a temperature on arrival but he's back to normal now and he's just doing light duties for another week and then I'll step him up," Hayes told www.racing.com.
"After two hard runs in two weeks, and then the trip to England, he needed an easy week but he's on track."
Criterion also holds an entry in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on 4 July.
Should Hayes' inmate run in his preferred option of the Prince of Wales's Stakes, he is likely to go head to head with Gailo Chop.
The Antoine de Watrigant-trained four-year-old won a Group Two at Deauville last August, with the Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp on 24 May earmarked as a likely starting point.
Joint-owners OTI Racing tweeted: "Gailo Chop worked superbly at Bordeaux yesterday as he prepares for Prix Ispahan at Longchamp followed by Prince of Wales at Royal Ascot."
