Getting the services of Michael Walker convinced trainer Ross Taylor to run class filly Star Satire in Saturday's $40,000 Gasmate Stakes at Te Rapa.
The alternative was the $40,000 Eulogy Stakes at Awapuni.
The Gasmate is a new race, weight-for-age for fillies and mares. It means Star Satire carries only 49.5kg and getting a suitable rider could have been a problem.
"I would have considered the Eulogy, but I was keen for her not to have another trip away before the Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie," said Taylor yesterday.
Taylor had not been definite about running Star Satire again before Ellerslie, but the filly has done too well since her Bayer Classic second to leave until Ellerslie.
Star Satire had a particularly hard race in the Bayer. She was carted back from a handy position by the weakening Millennium then sprinted so quickly for Leith Innes on the home bend she got to the front too soon and had to work hard in a grinding finish with talented Tit For Taat.
"She stripped very fit for that race and because she came through it without a hitch she'll strip very fit again on Saturday."
The nominations for the Gasmate are very strong, including Tall Poppy, Integrate, Giovana, Miss Jessie Jay and Chimera.
Racing: Rider helps decide
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