MELBOURNE - English trainer Brian Ellison hasn't given up hope that Bay Story can turn the tables on Gallant Guru in today's group two Sandown Classic despite being disadvantaged under the weight-for-age conditions.
Bay Story meets Gallant Guru 4.5kg worse at the weights for being beaten 2 3/4lengths when fourth to the Lee Freedman-trained 4-year-old in last Saturday's Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2500m) at Flemington.
However, Ellison has flagged a change in riding tactics for Bay Story, who will wear blinkers and attempt to lead in today's 2400m feature.
"We've got the blinkers back on him ... He's won with them on at home. My intentions are to go forward and make it a staying test. We don't want it to be a sprint home."
Bay Story will be on a plane on Tuesday to Perth, where he will be set for the Perth Cup (3200m) at Ascot on New Year's Day.
He will have a week's break before being trained for the cup and will have a lead-up run in the CB Cox Stakes (2400m) at Ascot on December 20.
"He needs to finish in the first three in either the Sandown Classic or the Perth Cup to qualify for next year's Melbourne Cup," Ellison said yesterday. "I know he is disadvantaged at weight-for-age [today], but it would be nice if he could finish in the placings.
Ellison said Bay Story went off his feed when he arrived in Australia but picked up brilliantly once he settled in. "He's 5kg heavier now than he was last Saturday. He's thriving."
Craig Newitt will have his first ride on Bay Story today, replacing Mark Zahra, who will stick with Brom Felinity.
Zahra is likely to reunite with Bay Story for his Perth assignments.
The Jim Mason-trained Brom Felinity is chasing a hat-trick following victories in the Werribee Cup, when ridden by Newitt, and group two Hilton International Stakes against mares at Flemington last Saturday with Zahra in the saddle.
Meanwhile, Caulfield Stakes winner Casual Pass faces his first test at 2400m in the Classic and jockey Nash Rawiller is confident he will handle it.
"He won't be giving them too big a start [today] and I feel now is the right time for him to have a crack at 2400m as he's had a solid grounding."
