Connections of improving stayer Thebudgiesmugla have until Thursday afternoon to decide whether he remains in Sydney for a stakes assignment or faces a two-mile test in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup.
The Bjorn Baker-trained five-year-old is a $2.60 favourite for The Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) and a $5.50 chance in Queensland with managing owners Darby Racing and Baker weighing up the merits of both races.
While the 3200m journey of the Brisbane Cup is an unknown, the Eagle Farm track has tipped into the heavy range, a temptation for connections given the horse has four wins on wet ground.
“It’s a wet track up there, the con is 3200,” Baker’s racing manager, Luke Hilton said.
“Down here, it’s 2400, we know he runs it. He probably doesn’t get a wet track, but we know he’s a strong 2400-metre horse.
“It’s just a little risk up there over the 3200 and probably a bit stronger up there as well.
“There are some other fish to fry at the end of the carnival with the Caloundra Cup, or even a Grafton Cup. They might be options if we don’t go there this weekend.”
A decision will need to be made on Thursday as the horse will have to travel by float to Brisbane should he run there, but whichever way the stable leans, they are expecting a bold performance from Thebudgiesmugla on Saturday.
A winner two starts ago over 2400m at Randwick, he had little luck from a wide draw when sixth in the Lord Mayors Cup (2000m) on a seven-day back-up, and his record suggests he holds form once he finds it.
“He did it tough from that wide gate and did a power of work last start,” Hilton said.
“His work on Tuesday was the best I’ve seen from him this prep, so I reckon he’s got a big performance in him.”
Dylan Gibbons will ride Thebudgiesmugla at Rosehill, while Tyler Schiller has been booked if he takes his place in the Brisbane Cup.
