Hugo Palmer may look to take advantage of the absence of Shalaa in the Commonwealth Cup with Gifted Master.
The versatile three-year-old gelding made a winning reappearance in a six-furlong sales race at Newmarket last week and did have the Jersey Stakes at the Royal meeting as a target.
However, the news of an injury to John Gosden's Shalaa has made Palmer think twice.
"The original plan was the Jersey but, with Shalaa out, we may take a look at the Commonwealth Cup," the trainer told his Betfair blog.
"Looking at the race as it stands right now you would possibly only have Buratino to really fear, though the likes of Acapulco and Washington DC would obviously be very serious rivals if they turned up.
"On all known form, though, Shalaa looked potentially hard to beat in the Commonwealth Cup. So, while it is obviously frustrating for his connections that he is out for the first half of the season, then it clearly opens up the race for the other sprinting three-year-olds..
"Gifted Master will be entered in the race and I will have a discussion with Bruce Raymond (racing manager) on where we go nearer the time. But the important thing was that he did it really well over six furlongs last week and we have options with him trip-wise now, as I thought he was more a miler than a sprinter.
"His next race could be in the Charles II at Newmarket on May 14 over seven (furlongs), or the Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury on the same day over six."
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