Bjorn Baker has conceded Bonny O'Reilly looks like missing the Stradbroke Handicap field but he doesn't regret taking the "soft option'' with the talented mare last Saturday.
Bonny O'Reilly has won seven from nine, including her last five, but currently sits two outside the final field of 16 for Saturday's $1.5million 1350m sprint at Doomben.
The four-year-old won last Saturday's Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) in impressive fashion but that has failed to guarantee her a Stradbroke Handicap start.
As things stand, Queenslander The Virginian would be first emergency with Bonny O'Reilly the second emergency.
Sydney trainer Baker says he has no regrets over running his mare in the Helen Coughlan Stakes when he instead could have opted to have a crack at the Group II Moreton Cup (1200m).
The Moreton Cup, won by Deploy, offered the winner automatic entry into the Stradbroke.
"At the end of the day I took the soft option, rather than having a go at the Moreton Cup which could have got us into the Stradbroke," Baker said.
"But I have no regrets.
"At the end of the day, that is racing, what will be will be."
Bonny O'Reilly, currently rated a $13 Stradbroke chance by Sportsbet, appears destined to instead line up in the Group II Dane Ripper Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Baker still has a Stradbroke runner with four-year-old mare Egyptian Symbol who is a $26 chance with Sportsbet.
Egyptian Symbol, to be ridden by Glyn Schofield, ran second behind Eckstein in the Group III Glenlogan Park Stakes (1300m) at Eagle Farm on May 27.
"She is in good order and deserves her spot in the Stradbroke field," Baker said.
