Trainer Barry Baldwin is leaving all options open, including a hit-and-run Sydney trip, ahead of Havatryst’s summer campaign.
Havatryst has won his only two starts this campaign in restricted grade but Baldwin wants to step him up in class to the Doomben summer series which starts with the Group Three George Moore Stakes (1200m) on December 10.
The second leg, the Listed Doomben Stakes (1350m), will be run on December 24, a fortnight before the final leg, the Listed Bernborough Handicap (1615m).
However, Baldwin has reservations with Havatryst in the George Moore Stakes.
“I’ve got my doubts he’s a genuine 1200-metre sprinter and he might find the George Moore field too hot,” Baldwin said.
“I think the longer Summer Stakes and Bernborough Handicaps are right up his alley but there’s not many suitable races around for him before those races.
“He’ll have his next start in the Keith Noud Quality at Eagle Farm on Saturday week and that race will decide what we do with him.
“I’ve looked at a couple of alternatives in Sydney next month but I won’t decide about them until we see how he goes next start.”
Havatryst had a two-start campaign in Sydney last summer, winning at Randwick on Boxing Day before finishing third at the same track on January 8.
Baldwin also fears a bad barrier in the Listed Keith Noud Quality (1200m) could further upset Havatryst’s summer program.
“If he happened to draw the outside in the Keith Noud then he probably wouldn’t run and that would be a worry for the Doomben Stakes and Bernborough Handicap,” he said.
“He’ll need to run somewhere if he doesn’t run Saturday week so Sydney could still be a possibility.”
Baldwin’s long-range goal with Havatryst is the Brisbane winter carnival next year.
Meanwhile, the Lawrie Mayfield-Smith-trained Shooting Scene was the only late nomination for the $80,000 Listed Brisbane Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.
Racing Queensland extended nominations until Tuesday after a disappointing total of 10 horses were originally entered for the 1630-metre feature.
Shooting Scene finished eighth to Fillydelphia at Doomben on November 5 in the eight-year-old’s first start since failing in the Townsville Cup in July.
AAP TURF
