An off-centre draw and a slightly longer trip have enticed Adelaide trainer David Jolly to Melbourne with sprinter Calypso Reign.
Jolly decided the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley was the better option instead of the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Calypso Reign had gate one in Adelaide and will jump from six in the seven-horse field at The Valley.
“It came pretty apparent after the draws that it was a better option as he’s probably more effective these days over six furlongs (1200m),” Jolly said.
“He’s got a draw that is just off centre as he’s a get back and round them up type of horse.
“At home it’s slightly short for him and he drew barrier one which is probably the worst draw for him.”
The Durbridge Stakes had been intended as the campaign starting point for Calypso Reign who has won eight of his 28 starts and has been a surprise packet for Jolly.
Calypso Reign won three races from four starts during winter and Jolly turned his attention to the Group 3 Spring Stakes at Morphettville where stablemate, Behemoth, owned in similar interests, was heading.
“I had a conversation with the Grand Syndicate boys, and I said, ‘I know we’re going to have Behemoth in the Spring Stakes, but this horse is going well and deserves a shot in it’,” Jolly said.
“We were at the stage where he was starting to get weight in handicaps, and I thought why not have a throw at the stumps.
“He came into it with residual fitness, and it made us sit up and take notice that he had improved.”
Jolly doubts Calypso Reign is up to the best sprinters that will line up in Group 1 sprints during the Melbourne autumn but is happy to take his chance early in the new year.
“We’re trying to find a path for him,” Jolly said.
“He’s not a Group 1 sprinter in the autumn in Melbourne, but he could be a Goodwood horse over here in Adelaide, so these off-peak sprints are likely to suit him at the moment.
“We were getting him ready for the Durbridge, but then we had a discussion that this race can come up a bit soft and it might pay to have a look at it, and I’m happy to be having a throw at the stumps at it.”