It's the race that stops the nation but trainer Nick Olive will spend Melbourne Cup Day pondering whether to skip the upcoming Country Classic or send Maid of Ore to Flemington Racecourse.
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Olive secured the fleet-footed mare a spot in Saturday's Matriarch Stakes after she claimed her fourth consecutive win on The Everest day.
But the Canberra-based trainer is now considering to send Maid of Ore to the Country Classic at Rosehill Gardens for a better chance of continuing her winning sequence.
Olive says the stable are "50-50 at the moment" and have until Wednesday to make the final call.
"[The Country Classic] is a strong race but it's a lot easier than the one in Melbourne, that's for sure," Olive said.
"She'll have her last gallop [on Tuesday morning] and I've been very happy with her. She's done everything right since Everest Day, she's been fabulous."
The five-year-old emerging stayer will likely go for a spell after she races on Saturday, with Olive looking to target autumn races like the Canberra Cup.
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Olive has nominated two horses to race at Thoroughbred Park on Melbourne Cup Day, with Jewel of the Clan set to make her return from injury.
The four-year-old mare underwent a knee surgery to remove bone chips and hasn't raced since October last year.
Jewel of the Clan has drawn barrier nine in the benchmark 60 (1000 metres) and Olive hopes she can soon return to her winning ways.
"She hasn't race for a long time so she might just need a run," Olive said.
"She's speedy and has been going pretty well. I've been really happy with her, she's sound and her knees are great."
Mohahna will make his Canberra racing debut in the maiden handicap (1200 metres). The four-year-old gelding ran second in his first start at Wagga Wagga in July but Olive says he'll improve with longer distances.
Kosciuszko-winning trainer Keith Dryden has scratched Heaven On Earth from the Federal Handicap (1300 metres), but has also nominated Balonne for the $40,000 race.