Premier trainer Chris Waller has made some key decisions about which races his star runners will contest at Randwick and Flemington.
Verry Elleegant Confirmed For Melbourne
Trainer Chris Waller has confirmed outstanding mare Verry Elleegant will head to Melbourne for the Group One Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
The multiple Group One winner was a dual acceptor in two states but will be scratched from the Hill Stakes at Randwick for which she was a $2.90 favourite.
Stablemate Finche was likewise paid up for both races and will join Verry Elleegant in the Victorian feature.
Waller has also determined Flemington as the better option for stayer Shared Ambition, who will be scratched from the Metropolitan Handicap in preference for The Bart Cummings.
The winner of The Bart Cummings gains an automatic start in the Melbourne Cup.
In another stable reshuffle, Kolding won’t get a chance to defend his Epsom Handicap title after drawing barrier 20.
The last-start George Main Stakes winner will instead stretch to 2000 metre for just the second time in his career in the Hill Stakes.
“We have had a good look at the form for the races on Saturday and have decided that Kolding will run in the Group Two Hill Stakes,” Waller’s stable said in a tweet.
Kolding’s only other attempt at the distance yielded a midfield placing in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on an unsuitable heavy track.