O’Sullivan initially planned to take the gelding to Adelaide, but tomorrow’s forecast hot weather changed his mind.

O’Sullivan will take on Black Caviar in the Group 2 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley tonight.

O’Sullivan said while he thought Black Caviar was impossible to beat, he was confident Hollowlea could run second.

“Black Caviar is in a class of her own, but I think my horse has the class to beat the rest home,” he said.

O’Sullivan said his horse would

be able to handle the Moonee

Valley track, racing at night and

the large crowd which will fl ock

to see the champion mare.

“He has won the Group 2 Stutt

Stakes at the valley at night and

he has raced at the valley on Cox

Plate Day, so I am sure he will be

able to handle the conditions,”

he said.

O’Sullivan said Hollowlea’s best chance could come from master trainer Bart Cummings.

“I am hoping Bart’s horse Rock Classic puts plenty of speed into the race to try to unsettle Black Caviar. We will be behind the speed,” he said.

Despite the almost impossible task, O’Sullivan said he was keen to run against the champ.

“It is probably not as good as having a Melbourne Cup runner, but it is still pretty good to run in the same race as her. I might keep hold of the racebook,” he said.

O’Sullivan said his goal was to stretch Hollowlea out to 2000 metres for the Australian Cup at Flemington on March 12.

During his three-year campaign, Hollowlea put in an eye-catching run in the Group 2 AAMI Vase at Moonee Valley, behind Victoria Derby winner Lion Tamer and Rekindled Interest.

O’Sullivan said Hollowlea, which is on the comeback trail from a tendon injury, would need to put in a big campaign to get a start in the Australian Cup.

“There is a lot that would have to go right, but I think 2000 metres is his ideal distance,” he said.

The Australian Cup field is top quality, headlined by 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain, as well as Caulfield Cup winners Southern Speed and Descarado.