Better Land has moved closer to a start in the $1 million Golden Rose following the withdrawal of Washington Heights.
The Peter Moody-trained Better Land’s chances of jumping straight into the field for Saturday’s Group One race were thwarted by a wayward Liberation who caused havoc in the Up And Coming Stakes.
Better Land eventually finished fourth and, barring surprise acceptances on Tuesday, is the likely first emergency after trainer Peter Moody decided not to force the issue and give him another start.
Even without Washington Heights, trainer Gerald Ryan will have dual representation with Ygritte and Bachman.
“We’ve decided not to run Washington Heights and he will probably be saved for the Stan Fox Stakes later in the month,” Ryan said.
“Ygritte and Bachman will be there. Ygritte had a good gallop this morning at Rosehill to get her ready.”
Washington Heights finished sixth in Saturday’s Ming Dynasty Quality at Randwick after getting back early.
The race was won by Panzer Division who cemented his place in the Golden Rose (1400m).
If trainer Paul Messara decides to let him take his place he will also have two runners with Scissor Kick a definite runner.
Bachman, to be ridden by Corey Brown, will be having his first start since he was unplaced in the Group One Champagne Stakes won by Go Indy Go who begins her campaign at Flemington on Saturday.
Before the Champagne, Bachman was a comprehensive winner of the Group Three Schweppervescence (1400m) in which Golden Rose opponent Scratch Me Lucky ran second.
One of two Golden Rose runners for Paul Perry, Scratch Me Lucky then ran second to the Ryan-trained Peggy Jean in the ATC Sires’ Produce before his fourth in the Champagne.
Perry’s other runner is Modoc who finished just in front of his stablemate when fifth in the Run To The Rose.
Track conditions hold the key to the chances of Nostradamus lining up with the colt also entered for the Danehill Stakes at Flemington as a contingency against a wet surface.
On Monday the track was slow with further rain predicted in the early part of the week.
The Moody-trained Bring Me The Maid is the $4.60 equal favourite with Run To The Rose winner Hallowed Crown ahead of the declaration of the final field.
Better Land and Nostradamus are on the second line of betting at $8.
