One last mile race in an effort to bring up her first Group 1 victory before She’s Ideel retires to stud?
Now that is an ideal scenario, says Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s bloodstock manager, Will Bourne.
The veteran seven-year-old mare starts in the $1 million Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on Saturday in what could be the final run of her racing career.
It’s an impressive resume that boasts six wins from 31 starts and almost $1.4 million in prizemoney, but it lacks a Group 1 triumph.
And despite being a $26 outsider with Ladbrokes in a small eight-horse field but high on quality – with Mick Price’s I’m Thunderstruck the $2.35 favourite – She’s Ideel should at least be competitive.
“Ciaron set her for this race. It’ll be her only run of the spring,” Bourne told HorseBetting.com.au.
“There’ll be nothing left on the table. Ciaron has her primed for this race.
“A mile at Flemington should suit her down to the ground.
“He’s a good trainer and he’s given this horse three trials.
“She’s been trained on big deep sand hills, so I don’t think you can query her fitness.
“She’ll be ready to go.”
Bourne said it would be highly unlikely She’s Ideel would follow the same schedule set for her last year, when she went on to finish seventh and 10th in the respective Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
“I think Ciaron would have to take some convincing,” he said.
“He gave us the opportunity and said one run only for (owner) Gerry Harvey.
“We sat down and had a chat to him at the Magic Millions sale
“So unless she puts them away, I reckon he’d take some convincing.
“She’s booked in to go to stud this year and we’ll see how she runs.
“I hope she’s brilliant on the weekend and wins her first Group 1 and we continue racing her.
“But she isn’t young. She was purchased with the thought of sending her to stud and getting some good days out of her there.”
The Maher and Eustace stable has no shortage of competitive starters across the nine-race card at Flemington on Saturday.
Bourne is expecting High Emocean (The Sally Chirnside over 2500m) and Swats That (Bobbie Lewis Quality over 1200m) to perform well.
“Really happy with the way High Emocean is going. Happy horse at the moment and has the conditions to suit,” he said.
“She’s at the right stage of her prep, and Ciaron and David are very confident with the way she’s going.
“I think she’s a good price ($15) as well.
“Swats That has had some mixed form in her training. OK trial and good gallop.
“She looks good. She’s still holding onto her coat, so we’ve just got to wait and see there.
“There’s a little bit of confidence there, but a little bit of guessing as well.”
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