Chris Waller is poised to decide later this week whether Aeliana will contest the 7 Stakes at Randwick alongside top stablemate Autumn Glow, or head to Melbourne for a Group 1 assignment at Caulfield.
The mare is set to be an acceptor for both the 7 Stakes (1600m) and the 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The multiple Group 1 winner was withdrawn from the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday and instead completed a 1000m solo workout between races at Rosehill.
Ridden by Zac Lloyd, Aeliana covered the distance in 1:09.49, with her final 600m in 36.53s. Her overall time was almost five seconds slower than Autumn Glow, who also worked over the same journey.
Waller expressed his contentment with the effort from both mares, indicating that Autumn Glow carried more condition and required a more substantial 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 commented.
Lindermann, who recently won the Chelmsford Stakes, will also be nominated for races in Sydney and Melbourne. Similar to Aeliana, the barrier draw is expected to dictate his path.
“Lindermann will be in a similar boat to Aeliana. He’ll be nominated for the Underwood and here,” Waller remarked.
“It would be exciting to run him in a Group One race, but the 7 Stakes is still worth a lot of money, and he’s a gelding.”
“He’s still building himself up. He had a soft mile last start, he’s ready for a strong mile, so it’s just weighing it up.”
The Randwick meeting will also feature The Shorts (1100m), where a number of key Everest hopefuls are slated to compete, including the Waller-trained Joliestar, making her first appearance since placing at Royal Ascot in June. The final decision on Aeliana’s next race hinges significantly on the barrier draw. You can find competitive betting markets for the race at various providers.