Kelinni is only 50-50 to run in the Lexus Stakes with trainer Chris Waller preparing to take the odds on him gaining a Melbourne Cup start.
The withdrawal on Friday of Silent Achiever moved Kelinni to 23rd in the Cup order of entry but Saturday’s Lexus and Mackinnon winners gain automatic entry.
Waller said he would prefer not to run Kelinni in the Lexus (2500m) which was the race that propelled him into the 2012 Cup in which he ran fourth, but was still considering the situation late on Friday.
“It’s 50-50,” Waller said.
“He would have to win the Lexus to ensure a start and I would rather not run him tomorrow.
“If he doesn’t get into the Cup, so be it.
“We’ve always got the Queen Elizabeth Stakes next week.”
Waller has until 7.30 on Saturday morning to make the final decision on the Lexus.
Kelinni’s performance in last year’s Cup gave Sydney’s premier trainer a taste of what it could be like to win Australia’s most famous race.
He has Hawkspur and Foreteller safely in the field and Mackinnon Stakes winner Moriarty just outside the final 24.
Kelinni’s preparation was interrupted by a slight bout of colic in September but Waller was boosted by his ninth in Caulfield Cup, less than three lengths from the winner Fawkner, which showed he was back on track.
