Champion trainer Peter Snowden says the final decision is likely to be made within 24 hours but he's in no doubt which Flemington Group I sprint Golden Slipper Capitalist should run in.
"We either run on Saturday in the Coolmore or wait until the last day at take on the older horses in the Darley Classic," Snowden said.
"That's a decision we'll weigh up as a team.
"Me personally I'd like to wait until Saturday week but if the team want to run him on Saturday, he'll be there."
Capitalist had his first look at the Flemington straight course on Tuesday and opened up stylishly over the last two furlongs, running a slick 21.96 seconds.
"I thought he worked well," he said. "He flew.
"He wanted to have a bit of a look around but that's the beauty of being able to work on the course proper. It won't be new to him when he races."
The Snowden stable is guaranteed to have one runner in Saturday's Group I Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) with Roman Consul Stakes winner Russian Revolution set to line up.
"He will definitely run in the Coolmore," Snowden said. "He trialled very nicely on Friday.
"I'm pretty happy with him and he's come on since. He's a quality colt and will run well."
The Coolmore Stud Stakes is set to be one of the highlights of this year's Melbourne Cup carnival with what Snowden described as a "star-studded field" including Extreme Choice, Astern, Flying Artie and Star Turn to renew old rivalries.
"That's a great race. A field of outstanding three-year-old sprinters," Snowden said.
"You'd take any one of them home.
"Whoever wins will be a worthy winner and you'd definitely say he's the best sprinter."
Sportsbet's all-in market has Extreme Choice favourite at $3.30 ahead of Astern at $3.60 with Star Turn at $5, Russian Revolution at $8, Flying Artie at $8.50 and Capitalist at $10.
