Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Ladies First's trip to contest the group one Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings next week is doubtful.
Last season's group one Auckland Cup (3200m) winner finished unplaced in her two starts at Hastings this month and will now head to the Egmont Cup (2100m) on October 13 before a decision is made on her group one Melbourne Cup tilt.
"I haven't pulled her out [of the Livamol] yet," New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock said. "But there's no sign of rain and from us on this side of the Island it's a 13-hour return trip, she has done that twice now.
"I'm am still very happy with the mare, she will run in the Egmont Cup [instead]. In my opinion, she has to be winning it and then we'll make the decision to go.
"I would be quite happy to stay local and it still gives us two weeks until the Moonee Valley Gold Cup."
