A trial at Flemington on Tuesday will help decide whether speedy filly Shamal Wind takes her place in Saturday’s Newmarket Handicap.
A disappointing beaten favourite in the Oakleigh Plate, Shamal Wind will return to the scene of her most impressive victory in a bid to get to the bottom of that failure.
Having won first-up at Moonee Valley last month, Shamal Wind finished 12th behind Mrs Onassis in the Caulfield race in which she “inherited” favouritism when Barakey was scratched at the barrier.
Jockey Glen Boss told stewards Shamal Wind, who underwent a veterinary inspection at the start, had been “reluctant to race”, but he wasn’t sure if the firm track had any part to play.
Trainer Robert Smerdon is naturally keen to test the filly before committing to a Newmarket Handicap start.
“It’s a good opportunity to give her a gallop down the straight and maybe we’ll learn something,” Smerdon said.
Smerdon will also take another Newmarket aspirant, Lone Rock, across town for an 800m jump-out on the straight course.
Lone Rock returned from a spell to finish eighth in the Oakleigh Plate.
Also in action at Flemington on Tuesday will be the unbeaten West Australian Barakey and fellow Perth galloper Lucky Gray along with Queenslander Better Than Ready and Fontelina, winner of the Yellowglen Stakes over the straight course in the spring.
Woorim will trial alone from the barriers over 800m.
Star international mare Ortensia is also due to be tested ahead of Saturday’s race in a gallop on Tuesday.
The Peter Moody-trained Moment Of Change holds Newmarket favouritism at $2.85 ahead of Barakey at $5, Lucky Gray at $6 and Better Than Ready at $6.50.