Trainer Michael Nolan is hopeful a drop back in class and distance may help rekindle Toowoomba Cup aspirations for Smuggler's Inn at Eagle Farm.Smuggler's Inn will be reunited with Chris Munce when the gelding tackles Wednesday's Girl's Day Out 27 March Handicap (1840m).Munce was aboard Smuggler's Inn when the pair finished third to Ivy's League over 1815 metres at Eagle Farm on February 2.However, Munce's Sydney commitments prevented the association from continuing last start when Larry Cassidy
Trainer Michael Nolan is hopeful a drop back in class and distance may help rekindle Toowoomba Cup aspirations for Smuggler's Inn at Eagle Farm.
Smuggler's Inn will be reunited with Chris Munce when the gelding tackles Wednesday's Girl's Day Out 27 March Handicap (1840m).
Munce was aboard Smuggler's Inn when the pair finished third to Ivy's League over 1815 metres at Eagle Farm on February 2.
However, Munce's Sydney commitments prevented the association from continuing last start when Larry Cassidy deputised when the four-year-old finished seventh to Tripitz over 2100 metres at Doomben on March 13.
"Chris couldn't ride him because he rode in Sydney when Smuggler's Inn raced last start but he's riding him this time as he nearly won the day he ran third on him last month," Nolan said.
Smuggler's Inn has been racing consistently in better Saturday grade at his past three outings but Nolan has decided to take on the easier midweek opposition this time.
"He's been racing well against Saturday opposition but I just thought I'd try something different with him this time and bring him back in distance at the midweeks," Nolan said.
"He's a handy horse and we're thinking about setting him for the Toowoomba Cup next month if he's still around.
"His form is still good and strong and if he's still in work by Toowoomba Cup time the race on his home track would be ideal for him.
"He loves the cushion track up here (Toowoomba) and it would be the perfect race for him as he's not up to the winter races."
Nolan has won the Toowoomba Cup once previously with 'Tis Love in 2001.
The Listed Toowoomba Cup (2100m) will be run for only the second time on the cushion track on April 15.
Nolan wasn't disappointed with Smuggler's Inn's last-start performance when he was beaten just over three lengths by the Mark Webb-trained Tripitz.
"He got held up for a run on the home turn and then was jostled by another horse on his outside," Nolan said.
"He was gone after that but he still finished only about three lengths from the winner."
Meanwhile, Nolan has glamour mare Chakvetadze back in work preparing for a Stradbroke Handicap mission at Eagle Farm in June.
"She's coming along well. She had two weeks off in the paddock following her last run and she'll resume in the Silk Stocking," he said.
The Listed Silk Stocking (1400m) will be run at the Gold Coast on May 8.
Chakvetadze hasn't raced since her unlucky second to Montana Flyer in last month's Group Three Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill.