Annabel and Rob Archibald will stick with Plan B for Nellie Leylax, confirming the imported galloper will run in the Travis Harrison Cup (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Nellie Leylax was also accepted for the Premier’s Cup Prelude at Randwick but is sixth emergency for the race.

“I was hoping to send him to Sydney because he absolutely loves bottomless ground, but he’s sixth emergency, so he’ll stay here,” Annabel Archibald said.

The Randwick track was rated a Heavy 9—ideal for the gelding’s European form—but the logistics forced a call to remain in Melbourne.

“He’s got a light weight on Saturday and if he can roll along up on the pace, I’d like to think he’s the type of horse that will suit The Valley.”

A five-time winner in the UK, Nellie Leylax has been consistent since arriving in Australia, finishing fourth at Flemington last start behind Sayedaty Sadaty.

Stablemate I Am The Empire will also line up at The Valley in the Donnellans The Tyreman Handicap (2500m) after scoring a tough all-the-way win at Sandown.

“He’s hard to catch but when he’s on song like that, he’s a nice genuine horse,” Archibald said.