Bella Vella (Image: Racing Photos)
Trainer Will Clarken is still contemplating where his star mare Bella Vella heads next after her game third behind Pippie and Trekking in the Group 1 Charter Kech Cramer Moir Stakes at The Valley.
"The one thing I can confirm is she has pulled up ridiculously well from her run on Friday night," Clarken said.
"Right now she is enjoying a couple of days in the paddock, which is standard for her between runs.
"I may run her next in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield on October 10, with an eye still on the Group 1 Manikato Stakes on Friday October 23.
"Alternatively, I'm not afraid to go straight to the Manikato even though that would be a four-week gap between runs.
"When she won the Group 1 TAB Classic (Robert Sangster Stakes) at Morphettville in May that was off a three-week break.
Clarken continued: "Beyond Melbourne I am thinking about two possible goals for her.
"The Group 1 Winterbottom in Perth is an option, but she is also a Magic Millions horse so the big sprint up there in January is also very much on my mind."