Aeliana decision set to hinge on draw
Chris Waller will decide later this week whether Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) clashes with star stablemate Autumn Glow in the 7 Stakes at Randwick, or heads to Melbourne for a Group One assignment at Caulfield.
The mare will be an acceptor for the Gr.2 7 Stakes (1600m) and the Gr.1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) with Waller leaning towards keeping her closer to home, pending the barrier draw.
"We're going to accept for the Underwood and the 7 Stakes, and then make a decision," Waller said.
"I'm happy to give her one more run at home to make sure everything is perfect and then probably join up in Melbourne for the Turnbull (Stakes).
"If she was drawing an even gate in both places, she will probably stay in Sydney. If she draws better in Melbourne in the Underwood, she'll go to the Underwood."
The multiple Group One winner was scratched from the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday and instead given a 1000m solo workout between races at Rosehill.
With Zac Lloyd in the saddle, Aeliana covered the distance in 1:09.49, running home her final 600m in 36.53s, her overall time almost five seconds slower than Autumn Glow, who worked over the same journey.
Waller was pleased with the effort from both mares and said Autumn Glow carried more condition and needed a more solid gallop.
"She's very forward, Aeliana. If she's going to run over a mile, I still want to keep her sharp, so I didn't want her to do too much. Autumn Glow does well between runs," he said.
The Randwick meeting will also feature The Gr.2 Shorts (1100m) where a number of key Everest hopefuls are set to step out, including the Cambridge Stud owned Joliestar (Zoustar) who makes her first appearance since placing at Royal Ascot in June.
