The ATC Oaks is off the agenda for one David Payne-trained filly but another will be given the chance to race her way into the $1 million feature.
Quayside and Artistic Lass will both resume in the TAB Rewards Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday as a stepping stone to carnival races – interstate and in Sydney.
Payne says the Australian Oaks is not on the table for Quayside after she failed to run out a strong 2400-metres when seventh in the Victorian classic last spring.
“She didn’t see it out so we’ll keep her around the 2000 metre mark,’ Payne said.
“We will most probably look more towards South Australia or Brisbane.
“But she’s come back good.”
Quayside earned a shot at the Melbourne Group One with a strong win over 1900-metres at Rosehill in October.
She was spelled after her Oaks failure and Payne says she will improve from Saturday’s run.
Artistic Lass is also expected to need more distance to be seen at her top when she returns from a let-up in the same race.
The filly strung together back-to-back wins over middle distances in the summer, prompting Payne to give her a short break with a view to the autumn three-year-old races.
“She’d been up a while so we gave her three weeks in the paddock,” Payne said.
“If she steps up to the mark we will run her in the Oaks, if not we will go to Brisbane or South Australia as well.”
Nash Rawiller will partner Artistic Lass with Brenton Avdulla to ride Quayside.
Payne will also saddle-up Devil Miss in the race with Tim Clark to ride.
Meanwhile, Gerald Ryan has accepted with Inglis Classic winner Peggy Jean and first starter Heytherecharligirl in the 2014 ATC Membership On Sale Now Sprint (1200m) for two-year-olds.
The race will also be the resumption point for the Chris Waller-trained Delectation who showed ability at his only start in December when runner-up to subsequent Magic Millions winner Unencumbered.
Gai Waterhouse will have three runners in the February Handicap after opting not to accept with Under The Sun, leaving lightly raced mare Vaquera, up-and-coming talent Ecuador and Charing Cross to represent Tulloch Lodge in the 1400-metre race.
