KEY POINTS:
Boom galloper Haradasun is one of only a few Australian stars Seachange will not have to face in Saturday's white-hot group one Orr Stakes in Melbourne.
New Zealand's finest racemare will still have to contend with Miss Finland, El Segundo, Marasco, Pompeii Ruler, King Of Ashford, Niconero and
Tawqeet.
Trainer Tony Vasil nominated Haradasun for the Caulfield feature but decided on a more cautious approach with the horse he rates at least the equal of any he has trained.
"He's had only four starts, I don't want to burn him," Vasil told Melbourne's Herald Sun.
Seachange will be ridden by Australian jockey Michael Rodd, who won the Victoria Derby during the Melbourne Cup carnival.
Cambridge trainer Ralph Manning put Seachange on a flight to Melbourne yesterday morning.
Manning said he is delighted with the mare's condition and the way she came through her final gallop.
Rick Williams, who manages Seachange for owner Dick Karreman, said a decision had to be made whether the high class mare stayed at home and tackled Darci Brahma in Saturday's $150,000 Waikato Draught Sprint at Te Rapa, or took on the Orr Stakes.
Seachange finished second to Darci Brahma in the $200,000 Telegraph at Trentham last start.
"With [Karreman's] The Oaks having an ownership share in Darci Brahma it doesn't make much sense to have the two of them clashing again.
"I know the Orr is a hot field, but you have to be encouraged in seeing Ticklish finishing third at group one level to Miss Andretti in Melbourne last Saturday.
"How often do you see a New Zealand horse lead them up in a race like the Lightning Stakes?
"And she was holding her third place at the finish."
Williams and Manning are keenly awaiting today's Orr Stakes barrier draw.
"If she draws well, I don't care how good the field is, she should be right in the party," said Williams.
"If she finishes fourth or fifth in that field I don't think anyone will mark her too hard."
Seachange looked in probably the best condition of her career when she paraded for the Telegraph and Manning says she has improved as expected with the race.
Saturday's race will decide Seachange's immediate future.
There is the option to return to New Zealand and run in the $150,000 Otaki Maori WFA on February 24 or remain in Melbourne for a group one 1600m at Moonee Valley.
The Otaki option would only be sought if Darci Brahma was not targeting the race.
"The only slight problem with the Moonee Valley race is that she doesn't like the footing moving under her and that track can do that."
* Darci Brahma will face, among others, Jokers Wild, Imananaba, Dezigna and Clifton Prince in the group one sprint at Te Rapa on Saturday. Pentane, Sharvasti and Sir Slick are headliners nominated for the $150,000 Whakanui Stud International Stakes.
