Al Shaqab Racing’s Simmering (GB) came to Keeneland from Europe two weeks ago for an intended run in the $800,000 First Lady (G1) against older fillies and mares only to be scratched the morning of the Oct. 4 race.

Instead of running in the First Lady, Simmering worked that morning on the grass (5 furlongs in 1:01.20 in company) and now will go postward in Saturday’s $800,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana.

“She had the option of running in one or both races,” said Sophie Trevena, who is overseeing the filly’s preparation here for trainer Ollie Sangster. “She would have been the only 3-year-old in the race last week, and that likely was a factor in the decision to wait a week.”

A two-time group winner last year at 2, Simmering is winless in five starts this year with her best performance being her third in the BetFred One Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket in England in May.

“I think she is in a much better place now,” Trevena said. “I have been on her all year, and she is a different horse now.”

With heavy rain in Lexington two days ago, the Keeneland turf course figures to have a bit of give to it Saturday. That could be a plus for Simmering, who will be ridden by Luis Saez.

“She likes a little bit of cut in the ground,” Trevena said. “She has been on soft before and she is good as long as it is not soft-soft.”

As part of her preparation for Saturday, Simmering on Thursday morning had a schooling session at the starting gate under Ben Curtis before galloping on the main track.

A victory Saturday would give Sangster his initial triumph in a Grade/Group 1 race.