Canberra trainer Gratz Vella has shelved plans to target The Kosciuszko with star three-year-old Music Time, instead setting his sights on the Group 1 Golden Rose.
Last season’s Black Opal Stakes winner and Golden Slipper placegetter had been on a path towards the $2 million country-trained feature, but the prospect of carrying 60kg has prompted Vella to change direction.
Music Time will instead be kept against his own age, with the $1 million Golden Rose at Rosehill on September 26 now his primary spring target.
The son of All Too Hard established himself among the leading juveniles last season, winning three of his five starts and placing in the Group 1 Golden Slipper.
Music Time indicated he was progressing well towards his return when finishing runner-up in a 1040-metre barrier trial at Randwick on August 14.
He is set to resume in Saturday’s Group 3 San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill, providing his first test on the path towards the Golden Rose.
The San Domenico Stakes could attract a high-class field headed by Golden Slipper winner Guest House and Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Unit Five.
Bjorn Baker’s Blue Door and Warwoven and Chris Waller-trained pair Central Europe and Diameter are also among the potential opposition for Music Time’s return.