Trainer Robbie Laing has been forced to alter plans with Queensland Derby aspirant Stars Of Carrum following the abandonment of a set of barrier trials.
Stars Of Carrum, runner-up to Extra Brut in the Victoria Derby in the spring, was scheduled to run in a 1550m-heat at Cranbourne on Monday, but heavy rain on Sunday night forced the cancellation of the trials.
Laing has Stars Of Carrum entered in two 2000m-races at Caulfield on Saturday as well as the Group Two P J O’Shea Stakes (2200m) at Doomben.
The Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) is at Eagle Farm on Saturday week.
Laing favours flying Stars Of Carrum to Brisbane on Tuesday and running him at Doomben on Saturday.
“He’ll have a gallop at Cranbourne tomorrow morning, come home have his breakfast and a drink,” Laing said.
“Then we’ll put him on the float to the airport, he’ll be in Brisbane around 3.30 in the afternoon and then it’s only a couple of kilometres to Eagle Farm where he’ll be stabled.”
Stars Of Carrum has not raced since finishing fourth in the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington on April 25.
The three-year-old has been nominated for races at Flemington in recent weeks, but Laing was holding off for Monday’s trial.
Stars Of Carrum did give his trainer a slight scare last week when he cut his face in the float.
“It didn’t impede him at all,” Laing said.
“I could have run him on Saturday over 1600 metres to keep him ticking over but he’s right at his top. I’ve never had him work better.
“I had a look at that field in Brisbane on Saturday and I don’t see anything there that can beat him in the Derby.”
Stars Of Carrum is a $21 chance in Queensland Derby betting with the Chris Waller-trained Nobu the $4.50 favourite.
