The Adelaide stable of Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea is still weighing up who will be their representative in the Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Beau Rossa and Ironclad have been entered for the 1200m Group 2 contest on Saturday, but only one of the pair will be making the trip.
Whichever horse does not travel to Melbourne, it will stay in Adelaide and join stablemates Parsifal and He’s A Balter in the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
O’Shea, who commenced a training partnership with Clarken at the start of the New Year, said they were still weighing up which horse to bring across for the Australia Stakes.
The co-trainer did say both horses were going well and would be competitive in Melbourne, whichever one they sent across.
Both Beau Rossa and Ironclad campaigned in Perth during the carnival and had returned in good order, trialling up nicely for their first-up performances.
O’Shea said they are hopeful of Ironclad representing South Australia in the All-Star Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley in March with voting on the that fan-based race opening on February 6.
“He’s going very well,” O’Shea told RSN.
“He had a little freshen up when he came home from Western Australia, and he’s been working very nicely in the last couple of weeks.
“We’re very happy with him and we’re hoping he can build on whatever he does first-up.”
Ironclad finished in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot on December 3 then was stepped up to 2100m, finishing third at Group 2 level on December 17.
Beau Rossa wasn’t seen at his best in Perth, finishing midfield in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) on November 26 before finishing last in the inaugural running of the Gold Rush (1400m) on December 10.
“He a horse that’s going well but just needs a little bit to go his way,” O’Shea said.
