Inferno is targeting the $75,000 White Robe Lodge Handicap at Wingatui on Saturday in a change of plan.
Inferno was runner-up to The Solitare in the Gore Cup (2000m) at her last start on January 21 following a second to Fellini in the Clare Memorial Cup (2000m) at Omakau. The $45,000 Dunedin Cup (2400m) seemed an obvious target for the mare, rather than the 1600m White Robe.
"The stake for the White Robe is enticing and she ran second in the race last year so it is appealing to freshen her for that," Brian Anderton her co-trainer and owner, said.
Inferno ran Hold It Harvey to half a length in the race last year.
Hold It Harvey, winner of the White Robe the last two years under 58.5kg, will not be on hand for the race this year.
"He would just have too much weight," Terri Rae, his Riccarton trainer, said.
Hold It Harvey will head to Te Rapa for the $200,000 weight-for-age International Stakes (2000m) on Saturday week. He did well for third to Six O'Clock News and Roi d'jeu in the Trentham Stakes (2100m) at his last start after racing three wide.
Bolinger, winner of four races from the Rae stable, is now trained by Chris Waller at Rosehill.
Mary Kotzikas, the Christchurch owner of Bolinger, sent the Stravinsky gelding to Sydney on the advice of Rae, who said open class sprint opportunities were restricted for Bolinger in the South Island. Bolinger won an open 1200m at Ashburton early in December.
Michael Pitman, the leading South Island trainer, has a powerful hand in feature races at the Otago meeting. He is planning to start Fellini, El Chico and Miss Maximuss in the White Robe.
Borninthestates, Sun Valley and Eleanor Coup are the stable hopes for the Dunedin Cup. Coat Of Arms and Fragrant are to contest the Dunedin Guineas.
Fellini has been freshened since his wins in the Kurow and Clare Cups. El Chico won the Timaru Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton on Saturday when Eleanor Coup won the Dunedin Cup Trial (2000m).
Borninthestates won the Dunedin Cup in 2008 and 2011.
Lisa Allpress, who rode him last year, will ride for the stable on Saturday.
