Connections of Vivy Air are considering a seven-day back-up into the Craven Plate, a move they believe could yield positive results despite not being an initial long-term strategy.

The mare’s past performance on a short break involved a second-place finish in the previous year’s Big Dance (1600m), followed by a victory in the Five Diamonds (1800m) only four days later.

This history gives Ciaron Maher’s assistant trainer, Jo Gerard-Dubord, confidence in the mare’s participation in Saturday’s Craven Plate (1800m) at Randwick, following her recent placing in the Angst Stakes (1600m) at the same track.

“She has only backed up once in the past and won a Five Diamonds. She seems to have thrived,” Gerard-Dubord said.

“It’s not a big field and it’s good prizemoney. She has come through the run really well and James (McDonald), when he got off her, felt she was looking for ground and she’ll get that. She will run a race.”

Regan Bayliss is set to ride Vivy Air, as James McDonald will be in Melbourne to ride Aeliana in the Cox Plate (2040m) on Saturday.

Tim Clark will continue his association with stablemate Eliyass, a gelding who has been consistently performing well. He previously won the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) in August and finished third in the Hill Stakes (1900m) behind Attrition and Lindermann at his latest start.

Gerard-Dubord suggests that Eliyass might need a track with more give to overcome Lindermann in the Craven Plate.

“Last start in the Hill Stakes he probably had his chance,” Gerard-Dubord commented.

“Things aren’t going to change a lot for him or Lindermann, but he hasn’t missed a beat, and we couldn’t be happier with him.

“If we could get a bit more give in the track, that would help him. I can’t fault the horse, but he probably needs to find that extra length to beat Lindermann.”

Lindermann was the $2.30 favourite as of Friday, with Eliyass at $7.50 and Vivy Air at $9. You can find the latest racing betting markets for this event.