Chris Waller will wait as long as he can before deciding if Red Tracer will join three stablemates in the George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Group One race was not on the mare’s autumn schedule with Waller instead planning to keep her to fillies’ and mares’ company in the Emancipation Stakes a week later.
But rain in Sydney has made the weight-for-age George Ryder an attractive option and prompted Waller to accept with Red Tracer who has won eight of her 10 starts on slow and heavy tracks.
However, it has also caused a conundrum for the trainer renowned for his meticulous approach and reluctance to deviate from a plan.
“I don’t want to run her,” Waller said.
“But if I think she is a winning chance come Friday or Saturday then she might be running.”
Red Tracer’s owners have left the decision on a start up to Waller.
Saturday’s race is worth $600,000 to the winner but Waller says the prize money is not his motivation.
“The $1 million is a huge carrot but it’s not what’s enticing me, unless I think she is a genuine chance,” he said.
“But I don’t like changing my plans.”
The late decision to pay up for Red Tracer has also resulted in a jockey change.
Red Tracer’s regular rider Nash Rawiller will be on stablemate My Kingdom Of Fife, leaving Michael Rodd to ride the mare for the first time.
“I had already booked Nash for My Kingdom Of Fife and I’ve stuck with him for that horse to be fair to the owners,” Waller said.
Waller has won three of the past four George Ryders, most recently with Metal Bender in 2012 who was ridden by Rodd.
Glyn Schofield, who has been in Singapore to support his seriously ill son-in-law Nathan Berry, has confirmed he will return to ride Boban in the feature.
The jockey was undefeated in five spring rides on Boban but missed his first two starts this campaign through suspension.
Boban rediscovered winning form when reunited with Schofield last start in the Chipping Norton Stakes.
Zac Purton will travel from Hong Kong to ride Waller’s Doncaster Mile winner Sacred Falls.
