Barriers will decide whether Group One placegetter Faraway Town heads to Queensland for a stakes race or stays at home in Sydney.
The Matthew Smith-trained filly is among the entries for Saturday’s Group Three Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) and a benchmark race over 1500 metres at Rosehill.
Although she has only won one race, Faraway Town has been placed six times including when third in the 2016 Group One ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes won by Yankee Rose.
“Where she runs all depends on the barriers on Wednesday,” Smith said.
“If she draws well in the Guineas she will go to the Sunshine Coast. If it’s a bad draw she will go to Rosehill.”
Veteran sprinter Zin Zan Eddie is definitely heading to Rosehill for the Listed Civic Stakes (1350m) but his little sister Zin Zan Elsie may be held over for the Canterbury meeting the following Wednesday.
“Zin Zan Eddie is spot-on and definitely runs on Saturday,” Smith said.
“The Winter Stakes is a goal. I’m hoping we can stretch him out further this time, maybe up to a mile.”
The Winter Stakes (1400m) is two weeks after Saturday with another two weeks to the Winter Challenge (1500m).
Zin Zan Eddie will be ridden by leading Sydney apprentice Andrew Adkins who is in sight of this season’s junior riders’ title.
“Andrew is riding really well so we’re happy to have him on even though he can’t use his claim,” Smith said.
Last-start June Stakes winner The Monstar heads the Civic Stakes entries but could go to the Sunshine Coast for the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m).
Trainer Brett Cavanough will monitor weather patterns before deciding whether the float heads north or south from Scone.
The Monstar underscored his wet track ability with his June Stakes win at Randwick on June 10 on the heavy surface.
Smith will also start imported French mare La Courbette at Rosehill in the 1900m fillies and mares benchmark race.
“She would probably be better on a better track and also over further than 1900 metres but this is a nice progression for her,” he said.
The winner of two races in France over 2000 and 2300 metres, La Courbette has had three starts for Smith most recently when third at Canterbury behind Collateral who claimed his fourth consecutive win at Randwick on Saturday.
