Lindsay Park says nothing should be read into multiple Group 1 winner Mr Brightside missing a scheduled barrier trial at Geelong.
Instead of trialling over 1000m on Tuesday, Lindsay Park is keeping to a proven method of giving its stable star a hit-out eight days out from a first-up run.
Mr Brightside will have an 800m jumpout at Flemington on Friday ahead of his return in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 10.
"It is something we have done the whole time and it's something we felt was appropriate," co-trainer JD Hayes said.
"He trialled two Fridays ago and this will be his second trial."
While Mr Brightside was absent from Geelong on Tuesday, one-time Melbourne Cup favourite Loft was put through his paces as he builds up towards a racetrack return following a tendon injury.
The German-bred galloper was sent to Australia for a tilt at the 2022 Melbourne Cup and was withdrawn just days before the race.
Having undergone a rehabilitation program with Lee Evison, Loft is ready to make his return, although Hayes issued a word of warning saying the best will not be seen of the gelding until he steps out in trip.
Loft finished third in the 1200m trial behind Sparkle, having had two 800m jumpouts at Flemington in the lead-up.
"I was really happy with that," Hayes said.
"He showed enough speed for a horse that the minimum distance that he won over before is 2800 (metres), so he's very much just building in the right direction.
"He was clean in the wind, and he didn't look like he wanted to stop past the line either.
"So, he got a big pass mark."
If the gelding performs up to expectations, the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick in April is on the agenda.
"The main goal with him is still the Melbourne Cup, that was what he was bought for, so this is very much preparing him for that," Hayes said.
