Well-bred Toydini left trainer Guy Walter wondering about his Brisbane winter carnival bona fides after the two-year-old was beaten at Randwick on Sunday.
Toydini emerged as a Group One TJ Smith Classic contender after a Kensington track win on Anzac Day but Walter is now unsure about the colt’s immediate future after he could manage only a minor placing to Calamba in the TAB Sportsbet Handicap (1300m).
“I thought he was a bit disappointing today … in that grade,” Walter said.
“We’ll have to have a think about going to Brisbane now.
“Perhaps he might be better with the blinkers off but we’ll wait and see how he comes through this run.
“In his favour I think the TJ Smith distance will suit him.”
The TJ Smith Classic – the last Group One two-year-old race of the Australian season – is over 1600m at Eagle Farm on June 9.
Toydini, who started favourite despite a $2.20 to $3.20 betting drift, finished four lengths astern of the winner after sitting wide near the speed without cover.
Calamba’s trainer Anthony Cummings is in no doubt about his plans for the filly, who like Toydini is by Darley shuttle sire Bernadini, saying she will head to the spelling paddock.
Cummings said a last-start decision to ride the two-year-old with more finesse laid the foundation for her win over her male rivals.
“At Hawkesbury we elected to go back on her at the start and she ran on and we thought with the open stretches at Randwick it would see her do her best again,” Cummings said.
Calamba provided Cummings with his second two-year-old winner in 24 hours after Diamond Earth won on the second day of the Scone carnival.
Peter Robl was able to lead throughout on Diamond Earth but his patience told the tale with Calamba ($10) after he brought her from midfield with a well-timed run.
Hawkspur ($3.80) loomed strongly at the 200m mark before finishing a half neck second with Toydini winding up 3-1/4 lengths back.
Cummings said breeding pointed to Calamba building on her record next season.
“On pedigree she is going to be a better three-year-old,” he said of the Goree Park Stud’s 2010 Easter yearling purchase. “She’s done a good job so far and she deserves a spell now.”
