A disappointed Chris Waller will send Enticing Star back to the barrier trials after the Perth mare finished down the track in the Group Two Golden Pendant won by the underrated Mizzy at Rosehill.
Enticing Star’s failure has put a cloud over plans to run her in the $14 million The Everest, with the mare holding the slot held by the Waller stable.
James McDonald settled Enticing Star at the back of the small field on Saturday and while she made some late ground for fifth, Waller admitted the $2.50 favourite’s performance was “a little bit plain”.
He said they might have erred by taking blinkers off the mare and would see how she came through the race before making any decisions.
“It is a little bit of a concern, I’m not going to hide that,” Waller said.
“We will probably try and give her a barrier trial, with blinkers, to make sure she is on song for the race.
“The vets will check her but she was very clean in the wind, post-race, which is what I expected
“They did go slow early, they got away with some very soft sectionals up front but she was still entitled to get home ahead of (stablemate) Invincibella.”
While Waller is going back to the drawing board with Enticing Star, winning trainer Anthony Cummings continues to sing the praises of Mizzy, who remains unbeaten this preparation.
Tommy Berry dictated terms on the four-year-old ($5.50), who kicked strongly to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Champagne Cuddles ($4.20), with Dyslexic ($7) another half-neck back.
Cummings plans to set Mizzy on a path towards the $7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on November 2, unless an Everest slot holder shows interest.
“The suggestion has been made that Chris (Waller) might be looking for another horse for his slot and I’m all ears if he’s interested,” Cummings said.
“Looking at the programs, it’s got to be Silver Eagle, Golden Eagle most likely.
“If someone wanted to talk about The Everest, we’re all ears.”
