Multi-million dollar colt Starspangledbanner headlined a group of Melbourne Festival of Racing aspirants who galloped at Moonee Valley on Tuesday morning.
The glamour three-year-old was one of three nominees for Saturday's $500,000 Pulse Pharmacy William Reid Stakes (1200m) who worked in the lead-up to the race.
The Chris Waller-trained Shellscrape and the Anthony Cummings-trained Turrfontein were the other sprinters who stretched their legs ahead of Saturday's Group 1 feature.
Starspangledbanner, who was recently purchased for a reported $10 million by Coolmore, worked impressively on his own with Danny Nikolic in the saddle.
“He worked really nicely,” stable foreman Troy Corstens said. “He worked over 800 metres and scooted the last 600 (metres) in about 35 and a tick so we were happy with that.”
The Caulfield Guineas (1600m, Group 1) winner won on debut at Moonee Valley as a two-year-old and although he hasn't been back since, he handled the tight turning circuit well.
“We thought we'd bring him back and familiarise him with it as he hasn't been back for a little while, but he seemed to get around it quite nicely,” Corstens said.
A decision on whether he starts in the William Reid or is saved for the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday week will be made on Wednesday morning.
“He's going to need to be at the top of his game to beat Black Caviar so we'll see how he comes through today and we'll make our decision tomorrow morning,” Corstens said.
Moonee Valley officials are hopeful he'll be amongst the William Reid acceptors with Corstens declaring the stable's intention to “go forward on him” at his next start which would add another dimension to the sprinting showdown.
Sydney trainer Chris Waller is another grappling with the decision of whether to accept for the William Reid or wait a week for the Oakleigh Plate with classy three-year-old Shellscrape.
“Our plan was the Oakleigh Plate, but if it looks like being a small field in the William Reid then we'll probably run here,” he said after the colt's gallop.
“It'll be a hot field on Saturday, but it might be easier coming from six of six at Moonee Valley than from (barrier) 18 at Caulfield. We've got some thinking to do.”
Shellscrape, who was also ridden by Danny Nikolic and worked with stablemate Dystopia, is knocking on the door of his maiden Group 1 and handled the Moonee Valley beautifully.
“That was least of his problems. He got around really well and was on his right leg,” Nikolic explained.
Turrfontein is a definite starter in the William Reid and he worked impressively with Mark Zahra aboard covering 600 metres in 37.5sec and 400 metres in 24.5sec.
Stable foreman Graeme Woolston said this season's Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m, Group 1) winner had returned in fine order and will be acquit himself very well on Saturday.
“He trialled well at Randwick the other week and normally goes well first up. I think he'll be suited to the 1200 first-up this time,” he said.
“If we get a little bit of rain come Thursday and Friday and we get a dead track, he'll be very competitive.
“It's a pretty strong field, but if we do get the give in the track he's in with a great chance.”
The high profile horse to gallop was Cox Plate winner El Segundo who railed like a greyhound when sprinting strongly over 400 metres in 24.5sec.
Trainer Colin Little has him earmarked for a tilt at the $1m Newmarket Handicap (1200m, Group 1) at Flemington on Super Saturday, 6 March.