There is what appears a much more suitable race waiting for Gentileschi at Randwick on Saturday, but Paul Messara is eager to see her sneak a run in Thursday’s 2000-metre Summer Cup at the same track.
The four-year-old mare was left as the lone emergency when the field for the $250,000 Group 3 was finalised on Monday morning.
The daughter of Dundeel owns an official handicapper rating of 65, which is 42 points off 59kg topweight Rustic Steel, who she will get just 5kg from.
Saturday’s 2000m BM88 is the back-up option for Messara and his co-trainer Leah Gavranich, who are keen to her up to that trip, which is why she was scratched from last Saturday’s 1600m BM72 at Randwick.
“I know she’s miles below the handicap, but I really thought the 2000 metres is what she wanted rather than the mile,” Messara said of the mare who is coming off a fourth placing in an 1800m BM72 at Rosehill on December 7.
“I still like her over 2000 metres. I know she’s got a great turn of foot and I really thought the distance rise is the right thing for her at this point in time.
“Even though she’s against a higher class horses, I do think she’s a horse on the up and I think, in particular, next prep and beyond she’s going to be a really strong horse over those types of distances.
“So, at some stage we’ve got to take on some better company.
“It’s a Group Three race, the sequencing and timing is right for her so, if she can get a run, we’ll be running her.”
Gentileschi has drawn barrier seven in a Summer Cup that also includes last-star Christmas Cup (2400m) fourth placegetter Naval College (56.5kg), The Ingham eye-catcher Osipenko (55.5kg) and emerging types Townsend, Tavi Time and Floating, who all have 54kg.
