Blake Shinn will replace the suspended Kerrin McEvoy on Appearance in Saturday’s Group One Coolmore Classic in which trainer Guy Walter will also saddle up Streama.
Both mares are already Group One winners and the trainer is reluctant to choose between the two who finished behind Coolmore rival Steps In Time in the Wiggle Quality last Saturday week.
Streama - Photo by Steve Hart
Streama finished 3-1/4 lengths second to the John O’Shea-trained mare while Appearance was another 1-1/2 lengths away fourth.
“Streama was fractionally disappointing but last preparation she didn’t go so well second-up and then she came out and won the Tristarc,” Walter said.
“She’s an older mare now and it takes a run or two to bring her to her peak.
“Blake Shinn will ride Appearance and she is also going well.”
McEvoy was suspended for causing early interference in Saturday’s Randwick Guineas in which he finished third on Tatra.
After her win in the Group Two Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in October, Streama started favourite in the Group One Myer Classic (1600m).
But it was the Darley-owned Appearance who caused an upset, winning at $41 after finishing seventh in the Tristarc.
The winner of last season’s Flight Stakes and Australian Oaks, Streama is the more seasoned of the Walter pair but the trainer hopes they can deliver a similar result to 2005 when he produced the winner Danni Martine and third placegetter Johan’s Toy.
There were 17 entries for the 1500m fillies and mares race taken on Monday including Flying Snitzel who overpowered odds-on favourite and Coolmore rival Norzita in the Group Two Kewney Stakes at Flemington last Saturday week.
Bonaria, a Group Three winner at that Flemington meeting, is also entered but will stay in Melbourne for Friday night’s Sunline Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Victorian Oaks winner Dear Demi showed she was on track for next month’s Sydney version with her victory in the Surround Stakes over Coolmore rivals Driefontein and Longport.
