McLean's goal is to give the six-year-old Spectrum gelding a fitness edge when he encounters the weight-for-age stars in the early spring features.

He has identified today's listed weight-for-age race, the group three Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 2 and group two J.J. Liston Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 16 as Cargo Cult's lead-up races.

During his extended 2007-08 spring-summer-autumn campaign Cargo Cult was group one runner-up in the Futurity Stakes (1600m) and Goodwood Handicap (1200m).

If he keeps up that form his program could take in the group one Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 11, group two Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on October 25 and group one Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 8.

``I think he over-achieved last time in work,'' McLean said yesterday. ``If he can get back to that sort of level it would be fantastic.

``If not there are plenty of fringe races over 1400 and 1600 metres.

``He's more than sound and happy so there's no reason why he can't get back to that level but he is a year older and there are good young horses coming on.''

Cargo Cult is likely to run into emerging star Weekend Hussler, which poses a dilemma for his preferred jockey, Brad Rawiller.

Rawiller rode for McLean in nine of Cargo Cult's 11 races last preparation but is also the regular rider of Weekend Hussler.

``I can't see him getting off Weekend Hussler to ride Cargo,'' McLean laughed.

Punters swayed by Cargo Cult's outstanding first-up record should heed a word of caution from the trainer in assessing his chances today.

``Nothing would surprise me but my gut feeling is he'll need the run,'' McLean said.

Cargo Cult took three runs to hit his straps for McLean after switching to his stable last year.

He trialled at Cranbourne last week over 990 metres, finishing third after pulling hard early.

The Robert Smerdon-trained Lucky Diva, which will also contest today's Caulfield feature, ran more than a second faster at the same trials.

McLean also rates La Chasseuse and Tesbury Jack as quality opposition.