Trainer Matt Cumani has abandoned plans to take One More Try to Brisbane for the winter carnival and she will instead race in Melbourne.
The four-year-old did not come to hand as quickly as Cumani hoped following a spring spell and she s nominated for Flemington on Saturday in the first round of the VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series.
Cumani will study the composition of the field before committing to a start.
The winner of five of her 10 starts, One More Try completed a winning hat-trick at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day before a spell.
“I was hoping we could have got her back a little bit sooner,” Cumani said.
“But she’s a mare that doesn’t keep the weight on her very well.
“She’s not a bad eater and doesn’t seem like a worrier, but she doesn’t put on weight.
“I thought a winter in the sun might help, but she hasn’t come to hand quick enough, so I think we’ll forget about Queensland and give her a couple of runs down here, a little let-up and then look to the spring.”
Cumani said the Matriarch Stakes at Flemington on the final day of Melbourne Cup week appealed as a suitable spring goal.
In preparation for her racing return, One More Try trialled over 990m on heavy ground at Cranbourne on May 6, finishing second.
Saturday’s 1400m is short of One More Try’s best distance.
“She trialled really well and Jamie Kah was very impressed with her and said it was probably best to start her off at 1400,” Cumani said.
“I think what we’ll do is accept, have a look and see if we’re happy with the race, where we’ve drawn, and if not we’ll skip and go the following week to the 1600 metres.”
Cumani also has three-year-olds Declares War, Dunlani and Pressure nominated in the Mahogany Challenge (2000m).
Dunlani and Pressure have been entered in the Listed Centaurea Stakes at Morphettville while all three are nominated for feature races in Brisbane.
“They’ve all been working well and I’d love to give them a chance in their own races,” Cumani said.
“At this stage Dunlani will go to Adelaide and Declares War and Pressure will stay here.
“But all three of them would have to impress this weekend to be considered for a trip to Brisbane.”
