A barrier trial on Tuesday will determine whether NSW Horse of the Year Melito lines up against glamour mare More Joyous in the Breeders Classic.Trainer Gerald Ryan said he was pleased by Melito's progress but would not commit to a start at Rosehill on Saturday week until he had seen her trial.Melito had a disappointing two-start campaign in the spring, finishing well back in two races both of which were won by Black Caviar.She was crowned NSW champion for 2009-10 for her stellar season which in
A barrier trial on Tuesday will determine whether NSW Horse of the Year Melito lines up against glamour mare More Joyous in the Breeders Classic.
Trainer Gerald Ryan said he was pleased by Melito's progress but would not commit to a start at Rosehill on Saturday week until he had seen her trial.
Melito had a disappointing two-start campaign in the spring, finishing well back in two races both of which were won by Black Caviar.
She was crowned NSW champion for 2009-10 for her stellar season which included five Group One placings in addition to her wins in the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) and Winter Stakes (1400m).
"She looks well and has been working well but I'm just not sure whether she will be ready for the Breeders Classic," Ryan said.
"Tuesday will tell us a lot.
"If she doesn't run in the Breeders there is a Listed race a week later.
"She will get 61 (kilograms) in that but there isn't another option."
The Gai Waterhouse-trained More Joyous ran third in a barrier trial last Thursday won by stablemate Montana Flyer who will also tackle the Breeders Classic (1200m).
While still uncertain about plans for Melito, Ryan is excited about the prospects of two-year-old filly Fast Shanti who has her first barrier trial on Tuesday.
Fast Shanti is a full sister to Rothesay who Ryan trained to win four of nine starts including the 2010 Queensland Guineas.
Rothesay's career ended after he suffered his second bleeding attack during a race at Rosehill in October.
After consideration was given to sending him to America where he could race on anti-bleeding medication, Rothesay was sold to Queensland's Glenlogan Stud where he will stand next spring.
"Fast Shanti is big and strong like Rothesay and I'm looking forward to seeing how she goes in the trial," Ryan said.
Fellow trainer Clarry Conners is uncertain whether Golden Slipper runner-up Decision Time will run at the trials.
The gelding has been off the scene since winning the Stan Fox Stakes in September after which he was found to have bled.
He served the mandatory three-month ban and grew during his enforced break.
"He may not trial, he's still pretty big," Conners said.
"I don't want to rush him so we may wait until the next set of trials."