The extra prize money on offer at Ballarat without the need of interstate travel will keep Foxy Cleopatra in Victoria on Saturday.
Foxy Cleopatra was named the fourth emergency in the Group 2 The Ingham (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday and as a back-up is in the field of 11 for the Listed Santa Cup (2000m) at the same venue.
But the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable have instead decided to stay at home for a shot at the Listed $500,000 Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday.
Young said Foxy Cleopatra could have travelled to Sydney on Thursday night if she looked like gaining a start in The Ingham, knowing they had the Santa Cup as a back-up option.
“We put her in that other race in case she was emergency one in The Ingham, or something like that, not emergency four as she is, and she was already up there,” Young said.
“So, we’ll stay home go to Ballarat. There’s a little bit of rain expected which she will enjoy, as she will the roomier Ballarat track.”
Young believes Foxy Cleopatra is now looking for the Ballarat Cup trip after having had two runs back following a tendon injury.
First-up, Foxy Cleopatra ran second at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day before again finishing second to Charterhouse in the Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m) on November 25.
Charterhouse is among acceptances for The Ingham.
“Looking at her, I think she has lightened off a little being third-up,” Young said.
“I think she’s now looking for the 2000 metres and this way she doesn’t have to contend with the travel and going that way around.
“It’s come up an OK field and I think it’s the right option.
“In the Cranbourne Cup she probably got back a little bit too far. She is a horse that needs to wind up and get home, and that longer straight at Ballarat will suit and if the rain does come, she will get through it no problem.”
With the scratching of Wicklow from Saturday’s race, Foxy Cleopatra will jump from the widest barrier in the 12-horse field under Craig Williams, who rode the mare last start.
“Willo does pretty much his own thing, so he’ll have his own plan from that draw,” Young said.
“He knows her now and he wanted to stick with her whichever way she went which is always a good sign.”