Classy miler Alma's Fury will be shielded from a stakes-like Goulburn Cup, with trainer Paul Murray set to opt for a November Handicap (1400 metres) task for the promising five-year-old.
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The Kembla Grange-prepared son of Refuse To Bend headed a 25-strong list of entries for the $100,000 time-honoured feature at Goulburn on Sunday.
But Murray, noting the Goulburn line-up was Listed worthy, said he had no qualms about dropping Alma's Fury back to a seven-furlong assignment at Rosehill on Saturday.
"The Goulburn one is going to be a bit strong," Murray said.
"He's probably looking for the mile, but I'll keep him a little bit fresh for now and then step him straight back up to the mile after Saturday."
Alma's Fury's likely omission will leave Gwenda Markwell's last-start city winner Bay Window as the sole representative from Wollongong.
Berry horseman Robert Price has entered Ramsays Curse, saved for the race after a wet Rosehill prevented him from a planned start last weekend.
Alma's Fury surged to the line in seventh behind stablemate Darci Be Good in the Hawkesbury Cup a fortnight ago, fuelling Murray's confidence he can recapture the form which netted three straight city wins last summer.
"It was a very good run, a real good run, as the tight track didn't suit," Murray said.
Meanwhile, Murray's rehabilitating galloper Pin 'Em Down is on course to return to the racetrack a little over a year after suffering a career-threatening injury.
"He's been back in work and this is probably his second or third week," Murray said.
"We'll just take it steady and it will probably be new year [before he makes a start] if that."