Trainer Chris Waller has confirmed outstanding mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed) will head to Melbourne for the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
The multiple Group One winner was a dual acceptor in two states but will be scratched from the Gr.2 Hill Stakes (2000m) at Randwick for which she was a $2.90 favourite.
Waller has also determined Flemington as the better option for stayer Shared Ambition (Born To Sea), who will be scratched from the Gr.1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) in preference for Gr.3 The Bart Cummings (2510m).
The winner of The Bart Cummings gains an automatic start in the Melbourne Cup (3200m).
In another stable reshuffle, Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park) won’t get a chance to defend his Epsom Handicap title after drawing barrier 20.
The last-start George Main Stakes winner will instead stretch to 2000 metre for just the second time in his career in the Hill Stakes.
“We have had a good look at the form for the races on Saturday and have decided that Kolding will run in the Group Two Hill Stakes,” Waller’s stable said in a tweet.
Kolding’s only other attempt at the distance yielded a midfield placing in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on an unsuitable heavy track.
