Ciaron Maher’s team is looking for a form reversal from Estriella as she lines up in Saturday’s Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.
The four-year-old mare, a Group 2 winner, finished fifth in the Sangster last year but has struggled this campaign, finishing 14th in the Oakleigh Plate and 11th in The Galaxy.
“At her last couple we’ve gone back in an effort to get her to settle,” Maher’s assistant Jack Turnbull explained.
“Up in Sydney, we were hoping for a bit of rain, but we just seemed to dodge it left, right and centre.”
With barrier two this weekend, the stable is likely to adopt a more positive approach.
“Drawing a gate, we may just go with her rather than riding her back thinking that she will finish off,” Turnbull said.
“Arguably we do need a drop of rain. As she has got on a little bit she does require some give, but there is nothing to say why we shouldn’t be going there.
“She came down from Sydney last week and travelled well and we’ll head over Wednesday night.”
Joining her in the race is stablemate A Little Deep, who is stepping up to Group 1 level for the first time.
“She’s mature, she’s in form and she’s fresh,” Turnbull said.
“She’s a Listed winner, she’s Group 3-placed, so she deserves a crack. Where she heads in the next couple of months, I’m not sure.
“She may be sold, so if we can have a crack at a Sangster and get some Group 1 form on her page, it would greatly enhance her profile.”
Horse racing news
