Kevin Moses had hoped to learn a lot more than he did about the ability of Plutorius to handle stakes company in the Tattersalls Cup.
Nothing went to plan and the trainer will give the gelding another chance in Saturday’s Australia Day Cup (2400m) at Randwick.
After leading, Plutorius finished last of the six runners in the Tatt’s Cup (2400m) on New Year’s Day won by Multilateral who will be among his opponents again.
“I told the jockey to be careful not to get boxed in because that can happen in small fields,” Moses said.
“I didn’t want him to lead so we will try again.
“I want to see if he can get 2400 metres in that class because that opens up a lot of options for him if he can.
“He has been up a long time so I don’t know if he will keep going this preparation but at least we will know where he is going next time.”
Jason Collett will replace Brenton Avdulla on Plutorius who Moses said had come through his last start in good order.
Plutorius won his only other 2400m start in a benchmark 75 at Warwick Farm, beating Blazing Dragon who is also entered for the Australia Day Cup for which 11 nominations were taken on Monday.
Permit is the highest rated on 97 but has struggled to capture his best form this preparation.
Tatt’s Cup runner-up Ghost Protocol is also in the entries along with Off The Rails, a last-start third in the Stayers’ Cup (1800m) at the Magic Millions meeting at the Gold Coast.
There were 13 entries taken for the Listed Carrington Stakes which has been moved from New Year’s Day and extended from 1100 to 1400 metres.
Spurtonic, winner of the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) on January 10, heads the list with a 103 rating ahead of Heart Testa and Ninth Legion on 101.
Ninth Legion has not raced since his fourth in the Group One Epsom Handicap in October.
