Espiona set to bypass Group 1 Newmarket Handicap for Sydney

Espiona will return to Sydney for the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes this weekend. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Brilliant mare Espiona will return to Sydney and take on The Everest winner Think About It in Saturday's Group 1 $750,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Royal Randwick.

Trainer Chris Waller accepted in the Randwick sprint as well as the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on the same day but will run his star five-year-old back in her home state if all goes to plan with the float trip.

The Coolmore Classic and Invitation-winning mare would be piloted by champion jockey James McDonald in Sydney while star Melbourne rider Jye McNeil had been booked down south.

"I think she can run one, two in Sydney," Waller said.

"I wouldn't rule her out of winning the Newmarket but she could also run eighth in the Newmarket.

"The Newmarket has more depth than the Canterbury Stakes."

SHE'S JUST TOO GOOD! ????

Imperatriz wins her 9th G1 in the Lightning Stakes ⭐
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Espiona has been the subject of a sustained betting move to win the Canterbury Stakes, shortening from $4.40 into $3.90 for the sprint which is dominated by Joe Pride's sprint star Think About It ($1.85 fav).

The star daughter of Extreme Choice produced a terrific first-up performance to finish third behind Kiwi superstar Imperatriz and The Everest placegetter Private Eye in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning first-up.

Imperatriz, a $2.70 favourite, has been slugged with a 58kg topweight in the Newmarket while Espiona would carry 54.5kg down the Flemington straight.

But multiple reasons will keep Espiona in Sydney.

The Flemington card has already been restricted to eight races because of an expected heatwave in the Victorian capital with race times also subject to change.

Espiona (right) won't be taking on Imperatriz (orange silks) in the Newmarket Handicap. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

"The expected heat in Melbourne is another factor weighing that was weighing on my mind," Waller said.

"In Sydney we've drawn barrier two and got James McDonald which is another plus."

Waller had Golden Slipper winner Shinzo among the nominations for the Canterbury Stakes but will wait until another day to unleash the colt for the first time this autumn.

"He's just not ready yet," Waller said.

"I want to give him another trial so he'll trial next week at Warwick Farm.

"After that he should be ready to go and we'll sit down and work out where he'll kick off."

The Canterbury Stakes has attracted a small but select field of eight starters including the likes of Pericles ($6.50) and Lady Laguna ($9).

Eleven contenders have accepted for the Group 1 $1m Randwick Guineas (1600m) with Waller's star colt Militarize ($2.30) the horse to beat with McDonald aboard.

Hobartville Stakes winner Celestial Legend ($4), Tom Kitten ($7) and Encap ($9) are among the challengers to the Golden Rose winner.