Highly regarded two-year-old Guest House will make his racetrack debut at Cranbourne after connections elected to bypass a tougher assignment last weekend.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained colt was an intended starter in the Magic Millions VIC 2YO Classic (1100m) at Caulfield Heath but was withdrawn after drawing wide.
Trainers were reluctant to roll the dice given the likely race shape and the presence of Unit Five, who went on to win impressively from an inside gate.
Guest House instead takes his place in the Clamms Seafood Handicap (1000m) at Cranbourne on Saturday, having drawn barrier four with Jamie Melham aboard.
Kent Jnr said the decision was based on both tactics and long-term planning.
“The barrier was very awkward last week, especially for a two-year-old debutant,” Kent Jnr said.
“The favourite had drawn beautifully in barrier one and if we had pushed on, we could have been four and five wide scouting around them, and then if you go back, can he pick them up?
“There’s a suitable option for him on Saturday and the other thing we spoke about was the race last week contributes zero to getting a start in the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) or the Golden Slipper (1200m).”
While last week’s race offered automatic qualification into the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m), its prizemoney did not count toward Australia’s major two-year-old Group 1 ballots.
The stable also ruled out a Queensland campaign despite Guest House being eligible.
“I don’t think you can do both, the Magic Millions and the Blue Diamond,” Kent Jnr said.
“It’s a long way to go. We don’t like flying our horses to Queensland as it’s proven to be too unreliable in the past.
“You can get stuck on the tarmac, and to go by road, it’s a long way for an immature horse.
“On balance, with everything considered and the barrier being the main issue, we thought it made sense to wait a week and go across the road to Cranbourne.
“Yes, a tight 1000 metres there is not ideal, but hopefully he can get the job done and if he did, the winner’s first prize goes towards getting a start in the Blue Diamond and the Slipper.
“He’s a lovely horse that looks to have Group class potential, so we’ll see.”
Markets for Saturday’s Cranbourne juveniles can be compared via the Australian betting sites list.