Mick Kent is a realist when it comes to placing his horses.

A year ago he campaigned the talented mare Epingle interstate with the Sydney Cup her target.

The daughter of Pins won the Hobart and Launceston Cups and finished third in the Percy Sykes Stakes at Rosehill in her final Sydney Cup lead-up.

But Epingle had a luckless run in the 3200-metre feature, finishing fifth to The Offer in a race in which Kent claims the mare should have been placed.

Epingle will contest the Listed Mornington Cup on Saturday with a view to a trip further north to Queensland for a winter carnival preparation as part of what will be her final racing campaign.

Kent said the Sydney Cup had been discussed before retirement.

"We had her in the Sydney Cup but it looks very strong this year," Kent said.

"She ran very well last year but this year with Protectionist and Red Cadeaux in it, it's looking a bit of a race, so we're contemplating Queensland instead.

"There's a couple of nice races up there but we'll just see how she goes in this first."

Epingle had four runs during the spring, finishing fourth in the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) before a close second to Au Revoir in the Zipping Classic (2400m) at Sandown.

The rising eight-year-old found 1600m too short when 11th behind Noble Protector at Flemington on March 14 but Kent said the rise in trip was more suitable.

"It was just a warm-up run first-up," he said.

"That's about her over a mile at Flemington on a firm track.

"Her form is good around this trip and if she's on song she'll run well with improvement to come from it."

Epingle is a $26 chance with the Darren Weir-trained Akzar the $4.60 favourite ahead of last-start Yarra Valley Cup winner Index Linked at $5.50.