Trainer Chris Waller says top-class filly Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock) is racing against the clock to be ready for the Caulfield Cup later in the spring.
Waller was set to run last season's Australian Oaks winner against stable-mate Winx in yesterday's star-studded barrier trial at Rosehill, but he withdrew her after deciding she was not ready to run.
"She's a bit behind where we need her to be," said Waller. "I'd say she'll have her first trial in about 10 days time."
Waller is hoping to run Unforgotten in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on 29 September, leaving the champion trainer just three weeks to prepare the rising 4YO for the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 20 October.
"Realistically we are following a Winx-type preparation with her where she'd go second-up most likely into an Epsom Handicap. It makes it hard to then run in the Caulfield Cup..." he said.
"(But) the beauty of a horse like Unforgotten is we know she is a 2400 metre winner so...we could take an unorthodox approach and perhaps go through the Epsom because we know she is so strong at 2400 metres."
Bred in Australia by Coolmore linked Roncon, Unforgotten was sold as a yearling in the Curraghmore draft at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock National Sale, bringing $360,000 to the successful bid of Waller. -breedingracing.com
