Corne Spies has opted to scratch the widely drawn William Robertson from Saturday's Grade 2 Allied-Steelrode Onamisson Mile and run him in the Grade 3 Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m a week later, writes DAVID THISELTON.

Spies said the thinking was that although the prize money was better in the Charity Mile a poor run in the latter race could lead to the draw being used as an excuse and he could then still "go barking up the wrong tree."

He was referring to the stamina question mark for the Rafeef  gelding for his chief target, the Gauteng Summer Cup over 2000m.

From a good draw in the Victory Moon, Spies will be provided with a good indicator of whether he will have a chance of seeing out the Summer Cup 2000m and an informed decision can then be made to run him or not.

The yard could find nothing wrong with William Robertson after his victory last time in  the Grade 2 Topbet Mike O'Connor Jo'burg Spring Challenge over 1450m, despite S'Manga Khumalo feeling something had been amiss before deciding to not ride him after reaching the start.

Spies does not hold anything against Khumalo, but will likely not use him for the Victory Moon because the top jockey would likely be retained for rides elsewhere in the Summer Cup.

He would like his Victory Moon jockey to get to know him ahead of the Summer Cup, so is looking out for a rider.

Marco van Rensburg looks to be the favourite at present, because he rides a lot of work for the Spies yard and knows William Robertson quite well.

William Robertson is going to have a big baring on the Summer Cup whether he runs or not, because he is the highest merit rated horse among the entries and the will thus have a vital influence on the weights.

Spies is confident of a good run on Saturday from Imperial Ruby, the gallant front-runner who runs in the Listed Java Stakes over 2400m.

He felt Kwite A Trip might be a bit outgunned in the Golden Loom Handicap over 1000m, but added he had stumbled last time and then clipped heels so that run was all wrong and he could do better.

Picture: William Robertson winning the Topbet Mike O'Connor Jo'burg Spring Challenge