Trainer Bryan Guy will let Oak Street decide his own fate as a potential winter carnival contender at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Oak Street, a Chris Munce mount, will line up for his second start this campaign in the Yatala Pies Handicap (1200m).
The four-year-old was well supported in his comeback but could only manage seventh to Invincible Mate in an unsuitable 1110-metre Class 4 at Doomben earlier this month.
Guy believes Oak Street had plenty of excuses for his first-up failure after being caught wide most of the journey.
“He was caught four and five wide last start and he went into the race without a barrier trial,” Guy said.
“He’s got barrier 13 which is another terrible draw but he’s a lot fitter now.
“I couldn’t get a trial into him before his last run because of the wet weather.”
Guy, who also will saddle up last-start Eagle Farm placegetter Catch The Light, is hopeful of a quinella in the race.
He believes Oak Street may have a future over further ground if the staying pedigree on his dam’s side comes to the fore.
Oak Street’s grand-dam La Rosette was imported from Great Britain after winning up to 2400 metres and was trained by Brian Mayfield-Smith during her Australian career.
Under Mayfield-Smith, La Rosette never reached any great heights but was successful over 2100 metres at Warwick Farm in 1991.
In her final campaign before retiring, La Rosette failed in the Group Three Manion Cup (2400m) and Group Three Chairman’s Handicap (2600m) before her swansong in the 1991 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick.
“I think he’ll get further. He’s got a lot of stamina on his dam’s side,” Guy said.
“I’m not sure about the winter carnival and I’ll let him tell me if he’s up to it.
“The alley is his biggest problem on Saturday. He’s drawn wide which won’t help at the 1200-metre start.
“I’m giving Catch The Light a good chance on his last run and his alley (barrier two) levels up their chances.”
AAP TURF
