Group One-winning miler Shadows Cast may be kept to sprint distances in the coming months, starting with the Gr.2 Kamada Park Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni on Saturday.
The Mark Oulaghan-trained gelding won last year's edition of the race before going on to secure his maiden Group One victory in the Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham in January.
Shadows Cast will head into Saturday off the back of a runner-up performance behind Wyndspelle in the Captain Cook Stakes. Oulaghan is hoping summer weather will return before Saturday, with Shadow's Cast preferring firmer footing.
While the Thorndon Mile remains an option for Shadows Cast next month, Oulaghan doesn't believe the conditions suit his 105 rated gelding, and is favouring an alternative path.
"I'm not quite sure about the Thorndon," he said. "It is set weights and penalties and I am not sure how he is going to get treated.
