Top sprinter Lost And Running will have an important gallop next week to determine whether he takes his place in the TJ Smith Stakes.
The gelding missed his scheduled first-up run in the Galaxy due to a swollen pastern but trainer John O’Shea said the horse had recovered well and was still in the mix for Sydney’s premier Group 1 autumn sprint on Saturday week.
“He’s good. He is still on track to run in the T J,” O’Shea said.
“He’s got some crucial pieces of work in the next few days which will determine where he fits in, but we’re really happy with where we’re at.”
O’Shea saddles up another talented sprinter at Rosehill on Saturday when Waihaha Falls resumes in the Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m).
The lightly raced five-year-old strung together impressive back-to-back wins last winter and underlined that promise with a series of bold runs in the spring, including a fast-finishing and luckless fourth in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes.
Waihaha Falls is being aimed towards the Stradbroke Handicap in Brisbane and while he has been readied for a forward showing first-up, O’Shea admits barrier 13 might sink his winning chances.
“It’s a shocking gate,” O’Shea said.
“I’d say it’s near on impossible (for him to win).
“But he’s going really well and we can’t fault that part of it.”
Bonny mare Promise Of Success had the opposite problem after drawing the inside gate in her quest to defend her Emancipation Stakes title.
She is also headed towards the Brisbane winter carnival where the Tattersall’s Tiara will be her goal, but O’Shea wants to see her find form first after failing to beat a rival home when she resumed at Randwick.
“Barrier one is the worst possible gate for her. She likes a bit of room,” he said.
“She does react really well second-up and she did win this race last year, but I was a bit perplexed about her first-up performance.
“We’re going to see how she runs Saturday and I have a view we might be inclined to put some headgear on her after this run.
“We’re happy with her at home, it just hasn’t reflected in her races yet.”