New Zealand's run of wet tracks could force a four-time Group I winner across the Tasman Sea to tackle a Winx-free Craven Plate (2000m) on Saturday week.
Trainers Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs want to run Volkstok'n'barrell in the Group I Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on Saturday but rain would prompt a rethink of those plans.
"He's ready for Hastings as long as the rain stays away," Logan told the NZ Racing Desk.
"If it's wet – and I hope it isn't – he won't run.
"We've looked at the option of running him in Sydney (in the Craven Plate) a week later.
"There's a weight-for-age race over there that could suit him, but I'd prefer to start at Hastings."
The prizemoney for the Craven Plate was jacked up to $500,000 in an attempt to keep Winx in Sydney for an extra run at Randwick but the race opened up after trainer Chris Waller sent the champion mare to Melbourne to run in Saturday's Group I Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
Volkstok'n'barrell won the Group I Rosehill Guineas in Sydney in 2015 and ran third to Mongolian Khan in that year's ATC Australian Derby.
The son of Tavistock has had two runs back from a spell for a first-up fifth over 1200m and another fifth to Gingernuts in the Group I Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hawke's Bay on September 23.
Volkstok'n'barrell pleased Logan with his effort behind Gingernuts.
"I thought his run down there last time was very good," Logan said. "The (slow) track was a bit of an issue and he hits a flat spot at the 600 metres. He couldn't get out enough to get in the mix but finished it off well."
Vinnie Colgan, who has been aboard Volkstok'n'barrell in all three of his New Zealand Group I wins, will ride the gelding if he runs in the Livamol Classic.
