Canberra trainer Matt Dale has decided to bypass the Lightning Stakes with stable star Fell Swoop in preference for a return in the Group One Oakleigh Plate.

Fell Swoop was not among the 13 acceptors for Saturday’s Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington with Dale deciding the Oakleigh Plate a week later was the better option.

“Pretty much I was always leaning towards the Oakleigh Plate but was keeping both options open,” Dale said.

“The Lightning ended up being about as deep as it could have been, and we decided to opt for the Oakleigh Plate to kick off in.

“He kicked off in the Oakleigh Plate this time last year and he will follow a similar path, although he may go to the Newmarket Handicap instead of The Galaxy on route to the TJ Smith Stakes.”

Damien Oliver has been booked to ride Fell Swoop in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.

Fell Swoop was a close second to Flamberge in last year’s Oakleigh Plate which was the first of his four Group One placings during 2016.