Chris Waller has scratched Espiona and Hinged from the Phar Lap Stakes with the pair set to take on the older mares in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic.
However, he remains in a strong position to claim his sixth successive win in the three-year-old feature on Saturday with Fangirl to line up alongside stablemates Cape Breton, Gracilistyla and possibly Roots.
Punters believes Waller has made the right call to split his top fillies with Espiona a $4.20 favourite to become the first of her age group to win the Coolmore Classic (1500m) since Typhoon Tracy in 2009, while Fangirl is a clear-cut $2.10 top pick for the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m).
There is also expected to be some movement in the two-year-old races with a number of youngsters accepted for the Pago Pago (1200m) and Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday also holding entries for the Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra a day later.
The final field for the Black Opal will be declared on Thursday and trainer Gerald Ryan is planning to wait until then to make a final call on where Brosnan will run.
While he is unlikely to take his place in the Pago Pago due to the heavy track, the well-bred son of Snitzel has also been paid up for the Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington while the Black Opal remains in the mix if he gains a start.
“I am waiting to see where he sits in the order of entry for the Black Opal,” Ryan said.
“Canberra hadn’t had any rain but at this stage, it is 80 per cent certain he will go to Melbourne.
“He will appreciate the 1400 and he will appreciate a firm track.”
With the Golden Slipper just a week away, Saturday’s juvenile races will be the final roll of the dice for youngsters to earn a spot in the field for the $5 million showpiece.
The Anthony Cummings-trained She’s Extreme is favourite for the Magic Night while Hawkes Racing colt Magic heads betting for the Pago Pago.