El Pistola will have to overcome an interrupted preparation if she is to claim top honours in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes at Te Rapa on April 29.

The Gr.1 Auckland Cup runner-up was forced to miss her final lead-up in Saturday's Listed Hawke's Bay Gold Cup due to muscle problems.

"It's nothing serious, but we weren't happy to run her at Hastings so we'll sit back and wait for the Travis," trainer Nathan Hanley said.