Trainer Brent Stanley was forced to abandon spring plans for a promising filly this week but stablemate Red Alto will be out to press his claims for a shot at better races when he runs at Flemington.
The Stanley-trained filly Fleur Fatale was ruled out of the spring on Wednesday after a floating bone chip was detected in the three-year-old’s off-fore knee which needs to be removed.
Stanley had been aiming Fleur Fatale, an impressive winner of her only start at Caulfield in April, at the Group One Thousand Guineas and VRC Oaks but she will now need three to six months off.
Stanley’s only runner at Flemington on Saturday is Red Alto and the trainer is hoping the son of High Chaparral breaks through for a city win at his third start in the Elizabeth Dunkley & Jason Lee Handicap (1400m).
Red Alto did his best work late for second on debut in a 1000m midweek race at Moonee Valley last month before finishing third to Starsi at Caulfield at his second start over 1400m 10 days later.
He settled in behind a muddling speed last start and Stanley believes he floated a bit once he got clear without blinkers on.
The trainer is reapplying blinkers for Saturday.
“He’s got the race experience now, I think Flemington will suit him and he’s got blinkers back on,” Stanley said.
“He’s ticked a lot of boxes since his last run.
“We’ll see how he goes on Saturday, but if he comes out and wins there will be spring plans.”
