Shaiyhar’s recovery from a Cranbourne track gallop will determine whether the imported gelding lines up at Ballarat this weekend.

A stone bruise last week forced trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young to ease off the Irish-bred runner, but the stable remains optimistic he can take his place in the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday.

Shaiyhar is among 29 nominees for the feature, with final acceptances to be taken on Wednesday morning.

The gelding made an immediate impression upon arriving from France in 2023, though he has yet to consistently reach the level Busuttin and Young expected.

Earlier this year, Shaiyhar defeated Deakin over 2000m at Flemington and has since recorded four placings from his past eight runs.

His latest effort was a third placing behind Kingswood and Saint George — both likely Ballarat rivals — in the Listed Cup Day Plate (1800m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.

“He was good when he ran third in the Listed race at Flemington,” Young said.

“But he had a little bit of a stone bruise last week that was causing a bit of a concern.

“He galloped up good on Saturday and pulled-up nice and sound. We gave him a little more work on Tuesday, and we’ll see how he is before making a final decision.

“He loves 2000 metres, which is a little bit further than last start and hopefully Ballarat is not a wash out like it has been in previous years.

“He doesn’t like it too wet and hopefully the weather gods are in his favour.”

The Ballarat track was rated a Heavy 8 when nominations closed on Monday.

Conditions should improve with fine weather forecast on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees, although showers are expected on Saturday with a top of 19.

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