Gerald Ryan admits he is still learning about new stable acquisition Oakfield Commands but his instincts tell him he should be able to handle the 1350 metres of the Civic Stakes.
Oakfield Commands won his first start for Ryan when he came from back in the field at Randwick on June 21 to record his fourth 1200-metre success with the trainer’s new apprentice Lester Grace aboard.
The six-year-old was formerly trained by Darren Smith whose horses have been tested and transferred pending an inquiry into the use of cobalt in his stable.
Ryan entered Oakfield Commands for Saturday’s Listed race at Rosehill as well as next week’s Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton.
“It’s a matter of which is the best race for him,” Ryan said.
“I’m still learning about the horse but the way he finished the race off last time, he looks like he won’t have any trouble with the distance.
“The Civic then leads into the Winter Stakes over 1400 metres two weeks later.”
Ryan said the decision on where Oakfield Commands would run had been left up to him but he and owner Bruce Mackenzie would have one final talk before Saturday’s scratching deadline.
The Ramornie is also an option for the Greg Hickman-trained Taxmeifyoucan who remained without a Civic Stakes jockey on Friday.
Hickman is waiting as long as possible to declare a jockey but he has entered the four-year-old for the Grafton feature as a back-up plan.
“He is a fresh horse and if he doesn’t go around at Rosehill he can wait and we’ll just have a look at what happens at Grafton and he can go around in the Ramornie there on Wednesday,” Hickman said.
Promising apprentice Taylor Marshall has been ruled out of his second metropolitan meeting for the week because of tonsillitis.
Marshall gave up Warwick Farm rides on Wednesday and he has relinquished six mounts at Rosehill.
He was entrusted with the ride on The Peak in the Civic Stakes despite being unable to use his 3kg claim.
A Flemington winner in December for Bart and James Cummings, The Peak is ready to find his best form again after two midfield runs at Randwick last month.
Senior jockey Jay Ford will replace Marshall.
Sam Clipperton will join Grace as an apprentice rider in the Civic Stakes, continuing an association with Darley when he rides Generalife.