An unkind barrier has forced trainer Ron Quinton to change late autumn plans for Crafty Irna with the accomplished staying mare set to run in the Listed Lord Mayors Cup at Rosehill.
Crafty Irna drew off the track in the Wagga Wagga Gold Cup last week and Quinton had no hesitation in scratching her from one of country NSW’s richest races.
“It was a long way to go to start from barrier 18,” Randwick-based Quinton said.
Quinton’s decision means Crafty Irna returns to a similar campaign path to the one she trod with mixed success last year.
The only difference will be her lead-up run to Saturday’s race after she contested the JRA Plate instead of the Emancipation Stakes at her most recent outing.
She ran ninth behind Kelinni in the JRA Plate on a heavy Randwick track, continuing a run of outs on rain-affected surfaces.
“Apart from her last run her form is close to what it was last year,” Quinton said.
Crafty Irna finished a close fourth to Kinnersley in the 2012 Lord Mayors Cup.
Ironically, Wagga Wagga Gold Cup form could turn out to be the best reference for Saturday’s race with four unplaced runners nominated.
They are Court Connection, the Chris Waller-trained imports Illo and Moriarty, and the John Thompson-trained Maules Creek.
Court Connection was first home of the quartet, finishing one place ahead of Moriarty in fourth spot – four lengths behind the winner Scream Machine.
The Australian Turf Club received 21 nominations for the Cup with entries including Sysmo and Prince Of Capers for trainer Tony McEvoy.
Adelaide-based McEvoy has expanded his training operation to include a stable at Hawkesbury on Sydney’s western outskirts.
His move paid an instant dividend when Mouro won the $150,000 Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury on Saturday.
