Rosehill clash looms for O'Shea and Charlton imports

Starzintheireyes may have missed his opportunity to compete in The Metropolitan after being scratched from last week's Kingston Town Stakes, a turn of events trainer Tom Charlton believes could be fortuitous.

The Randwick conditioner, who collaborates with John O'Shea, indicated that the gelding would have faced challenging conditions.

O'Shea and Charlton have now set their sights on Saturday's Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1900m) at Rosehill as a secondary objective, anticipating the gelding's chance to secure a maiden victory on Australian soil.

"From the gate he would have gone back and it would have been impossible for him to win the way the track was playing," Charlton commented, referring to the Kingston Town Stakes won by The Euphrates.

"Maybe it was a blessing in disguise, but he's going very well and he'd be a live chance (this week)."

"I'd say it would be unlikely to go to The Metropolitan, but I guess there would some circumstances you would consider it."

"If he were to finish on the bridle and won easily you'd think about, but at this stage we'd probably think he's headed in another direction."

The situation now presents a quandary, as Starzintheireyes is set to face stablemate Mister Rizz this Saturday.

This benchmark 88 event was originally targeted for Starzintheireyes following his commanding first-up win over 1800m at Hawkesbury on September 5. This was his first success in Australia, achieved on his third start, with prior placings at Scone and Rosehill in May. Charlton expressed that the gelding is a promising prospect within the stable.

"He's quite a raw individual, he still does a few things wrong, but he's a strong galloper and one that's got potential in his time here in Australia," Charlton shared.

"He was good the other day at Hawkesbury in a weak race, he was entitled to win like that, but we feel like he's progressing in the right direction."

"There's still a lot of upside with him and he's definitely improving, that's for sure."

Mister Rizz, a five-year-old by Lope De Vega, has a record of nine starts for two wins and five placings. He will start from barrier three with Zac Lloyd in the saddle, while James McDonald is booked for Starzintheireyes from barrier five.

Explore the latest racing odds and betting markets for the race at various online bookmakers.