Stay Inside has tuned up for his return in the San Domenico Stakes with a quiet barrier trial at Randwick that got the thumbs up from co-trainer Michael Freedman .
It was the Golden Slipper winner’s second trial after he won a heat at Randwick last month and Freedman said Friday’s hitout was deliberately low-key given the colt was set to resume on Saturday week.
“It’s only eight days until we plan to run him first-up in the San Domenico Saturday week, so it was just a nice spin around this morning where he kept him on the bridle and I’m very happy with him,” Freedman said on Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“I thought he strode out well and went to the line under his own steam.
“He pulled up nice and clean in the wind and I think that will bring him on well.”
Ridden by his Slipper-winning jockey Tommy Berry, Stay Inside finished fifth to Lost And Running in the 850m course proper hitout.
It was the Everest slot holder’s first public appearance of the season and trainer John O’Shea confirmed Lost And Running would have another trial on September 10 before resuming in The Shorts (1100m) eight days later.
He will then go to the Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 2 before having a shot at the $15 million on offer in The Everest (1200m) two weeks later.
“He does a bit too well between runs so fortnightly is great for him and there’s no pressure in terms of having to perform early in his prep and having no gas left in the tank at the end,” O’Shea said.
O’Shea said he may also look to give Lost And Running an exhibition gallop between races in the coming weeks if he is able to secure use of a track.
Stay Inside is also in calculations for an Everest slot but no decision is expected to be made until after he resumes.
“I’m quite philosophical about these things. If he looks like he’s a genuine Everest chance I don’t think there’d be any dramas with a slot holder wanting to take him, and if he doesn’t look like a serious Everest horse it will be a moot point,” Freedman said.
Stay Inside is an $8 chance in early Everest markets, despite the fact he is yet to secure a slot, with Lost And Running, who will represent the TAB, a $9 chance.
