Smolda is on track to resume at Addington next week without a public trial going into the race.
"There doesn't seem to be much point in waiting for a trial."
"You could end up with three other horses of lesser grade and get no more out of it than you would get at home" Mark Purdon said.
Smolda will be following -at least initially-the same path as Adore Me in winning last year's Cup going on to the Flying Stakes at Ashburton before a decision is made whether he needs another race.
While he had quite a long spell after it, Smolda was kept up to the collar with a winter campaign in Sydney and Brisbane and should bounce back fairly quickly.
Meanwhile other stars from the barn are getting ready for a return to racing
Chase the Dream
Was further back than he has ever been in a trial when fourth in a 3.02.4 2400m heat at Ashburton Tuesday but there was no cause for concern.
"We probably had the hopples a bit short for one thing, he was looking to stretch out more but he was fine in terms of condition" Natalie Rasmussen said.
All the team save perhaps Snakes n Ladders got the big tick and five are likely to be racing at Addington on Friday week.
Snakes and Ladders finished well back but no real cause for concern at this stage.
Superfecta is the All Stars only Futurity nominee at the Cup meeting and he won his qualifying heat (3:02: 56.6/27.5 in style)
Cash n Flow who looked so promising last term won in 3.04.8 (56.3: 26.5) and is poised for a Sires heat next week.
Stroke of Luck was beaten a half head in 3.04.6 (57.7/26.7) and is ready to race now.
All Star Angus carried on from the promise of last season running second in 3.16 (58.4/28.7) and will trial again soon.
David McCarthy – All Stars Racing Stable – Check site here