Champion trainer Chris Waller is expected to rely on Accession in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes with Everest winner Yes Yes Yes likely to head for a spell or contest the weight-for-age Darley Sprint Classic.
Fellow trainer Peter Snowden says he is leaning towards keeping impressive last-start winner California Zimbol for the Group Three Red Roses (1100m) for three-year-old fillies on Thursday week rather than run her in Saturday’s $1 million Coolmore (1200m) at Flemington.
Yes Yes Yes features among the 18 nominations for the Coolmore which include Group One-winning Godolphin-owned colts Bivouac and Microphone.
Waller, who won the race three times in a row from 2013-2015, said a decision on Yes Yes Yes would be made in a few days.
“Yes Yes Yes is there but we’ve got to make a decision later this week whether he goes to the paddock or perhaps run on the last day,” Waller said.
“But at this stage just Accession will run in the Coolmore.
Snowden has last-start Roman Consul Stakes-winning colt Cosmic Force heading towards the Coolmore but indicated California Zimbol, who beat subsequent Manikato Stakes winner Loving Gaby last start, is more likely to be saved for the Red Roses five days later.
“She’s a very talented filly but in my mind I don’t think I’ll run her in the Coolmore,” Snowden said on Tuesday morning.
“I think I’ll keep her for the fillies race on the Thursday.
“That’s not in concrete yet. I’ll have a good look through the field today but I’m leaning more towards the fillies race with her.
“I just don’t want to throw her in the deep end straight up. I think in 12 months’ time she will be on everyone’s lips.
“She’s very, very good.
“But I just don’t think she’s ready to go into that sort of race this early. But her time will come.”
The James Cummings-trained Bivouac, a luckless sixth in the Group One Manikato Stakes last Friday night, is the early favourite for the Coolmore.
