Memsie looms larger for Aeliana after trial mishap

The Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) has emerged as a more serious first-up option for star mare Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) after a barrier incident ruled her out of a Warwick Farm trial on Tuesday.

The multiple Group One winner got her hind leg caught in the starting gates before the opening heat and was withdrawn before the trial.

Trainer Chris Waller said Aeliana had responded well to treatment, with the mare receiving anti-inflammatories and regular ice hosing, and there were no immediate signs of any significant injury.

"Minimal swelling and she's sound," Waller said.

"We, of course, gave her anti-inflammatories after it so that's masking a little bit of swelling, and masking a little bit of pain.

"I'd say by Friday we'll be able to say we're in the clear. You just never know what bruising could be there, but every sign you can see so far is fantastic."

Aeliana will miss this week's Rosehill trials but is expected to have a hit-out at Randwick next Friday, after which connections will decide whether she resumes in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 22 or the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield a week later.

The Winx Stakes had been the preferred starting point, but Waller said the setback had brought the Melbourne option firmly into contention.

"Where it would have been eighty-twenty before, it's probably fifty-fifty now," he said.

"We're very confident we'll still be on track."

Aeliana is expected to be one of the headline acts of the spring and is prominent in early markets for the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) and Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m).