Trainer Matthew Smith has Plan B in place for Faraway Town if the mare is unable to make the field for the Group One Tatt’s Tiara at Doomben.
Staying closer to home for the Winter Dash (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday has firmed as an option with the four-year-old likely to be an emergency for the $500,000 weight-for-age fillies and mares feature over 1350m.
The Warwick Farm trainer had hoped to bring Faraway Town back from a let-up to tackle the Tiara first-up, but is almost resigned staying in Sydney.
A decision will be made after acceptances on Wednesday, and a discussion with owner Frank Cook.
“I don’t really want to go up there and miss out on a run because I’d say she’d handle a wet track at Randwick,” Smith said.
The Garry Frazer-trained Spright was taken out of Tiara contention on Tuesday getting the Jason Coyle-trained Siren’s Fury into the 16-horse field.
Smith needs a few more to come out at acceptance time to get Faraway Town into the race.
“I knew she’d be on the cusp. We were prepared to take a chance because she’s going well. We’d like to go if we can, but not if we need four or five scratchings,” he said.
While the Winter Dash appeals as an alternative with Faraway Town proven over the distance and on heavy ground, the presence of the Mick Bell-trained Jungle Edge is a drawback.
“He’s an absolute swimmer. He’s hard to beat on those wet tracks,” Smith said.
The wet track has diminished Smith’s team for the Benchmark 85 Handicap (2400m) with La Courbette headed to Flemington and Villardo given more time to recover from a tough run at Warwick Farm last week.
Wet tracker Plymouth Road will represent the stable.
“In the right grade, on the right day he’s definitely got some wins in him, if he finds those wet tracks,” Smith said.
Smith has no concerns about Rebel Miss handling heavy ground in the Benchmark 80 Handicap (1000m) after three weeks between runs.
“It’s a perfect race for her, the distance is right and she’s handled a wet track before,” he said.
