A trip to Sydney is on the agenda for Havatryst if the talented sprinter misses a start in the Group Three George Moore Stakes at Doomben on Saturday.
Trainer Barry Baldwin has taken the precaution against Havatryst being balloted out of the 1200-metre feature by also nominating the four-year-old for a set-weights Class Six race over 1200 metres at Doomben.
If he misses a start in the George Moore, Baldwin fears Havatryst will also miss out on the Lough Neagh two weeks later and he will need to look further afield.
The George Moore is the first leg of the Doomben Summer Series, the Lough Neagh (1350m) the second with the Bernborough Handicap (1615m) the final leg.
“It sounds a bit silly but the Lough Neagh Stakes is also going to be very strong and it might be better for him to head to Sydney where it should be a lot weaker,” Baldwin said.
“The Class Six Plate nomination on Saturday is purely a back-up in case he doesn’t make the George Moore field.
“He only just made the field when he won at Doomben last run before hurting his leg.”
The son of Foreplay, who is unbeaten in two starts this campaign, injured his off foreleg which ruled him out of last month’s Listed Keith Noud Quality (1200m) at Eagle Farm.
X-rays revealed the injury was only superficial.
“He only missed a couple of gallops and he’s right again now,” Baldwin said.
“We treated him extensively for about ten days with antibiotics and everything is fine with him again.”
Baldwin initially feared the 1200 metres of the George Moore Stakes would prove too short for Havatryst.
“He would have been looking for longer had he not hurt himself but he won’t have raced for five weeks come Saturday so he’s fresh enough to run 1200,” he said.
“I want to get over Saturday first whether it’s in the George Moore or the Class Six before we decide what to do with him next.
“I can place him a lot easier in Sydney and it won’t be as strong down there compared to here.”
AAP TURF
