Things didn’t go as well as anticipated for Mossfun in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) first-up on February 14 so her trainers are keeping their options open for the filly’s next start.

Team Hawkes are leaving options open for Mossfun’s second-up autumn start. Photo by Steve Hart.

After winning the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) last autumn as a two-year-old, Mossfun was spelled for nine months. The filly was originally set for a spring campaign but after falling sick in late August Team Hawkes thought the best plan of action was to give her a long rest and head back to the track in autumn.

Mossfun resumed in the Light Fingers Stakes at Randwick but her return to the track was disappointing to say the least. The three-year-old was off the rails in the first few before worked her way to be the outside lead. She sat just a length back at the 500m but didn’t finish off the race, running three lengths behind winner Adrift in sixth place.

The filly is set to bounce back this Saturday at the same track but in which race is still undecided. Mossfun is nominated for both the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) and Listed Fireball Stakes (1100m).

“We still haven’t made up our mind yet but she’ll definitely run on Saturday,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes told TVN.

“She’s come through her first-up run in good order. She’ll take improvement naturally given she hadn’t had a run in almost a year.”

Mossfun would carry just 54kg in the 2015 Challenge Stakes, which is the minimum weight and four and a half kilos less than the majority of the field, but would take on classy sprinters the likes of Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) winner Tiger Tees, Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) runner-up Avoid Lightning, and stable mate Deep Field, who finished third in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) on February 21.

If she were to take on her own age group in the 2015 Fireball Stakes instead, Mossfun would carry a hefty 58kg. Her rivals would include Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) runner-up Memorial, Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) minor placer Kuro, and Group 3 Red Roses Stakes (1100m) winner Onemorezeta.

Team Hawkes are keen to win back-to-back Golden Slippers and will get an understanding of their chances at Randwick on Saturday with hopeful Headwater running in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m), which is the key lead-up race for colts and geldings.

The two-year-old colt won the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) on February 21 and enjoyed a solid gallop this morning.

“He’ll definitely take his place in the Todman this week,” Hawkes said.

“Everything is fine with him.”