After Idolize set Wentworth Park alight during the Group 1 National Futurity series in January, great anticipation surrounds the brilliant Victorian speedster’s return to Sydney for Saturday night’s G1 Golden Easter Egg heats.
Idolize was a flying all-the-way winner of the female-only Futurity, defeating litter sister Chic in 29.80sec to hand Devon Meadows trainer Peter Presutto an unforgettable G1 quinella.
Winner of 12 of her 22 starts, Idolize, a January ’20 daughter of My Redeemer and Hightan, also won the G2 Laurels at Sandown Park last December.
Since then, Idolize has made her mark in open company, running second to superstar Aston Rupee in the G1 Temlee invitational and most recently, last Saturday, when fourth in the G2 Shepparton Cup final.
“We’re not going to die wondering. That’s for sure!”
But while Idolize’s form doesn’t suggest it – the Shepparton Cup was her first unplaced run in 11 starts, dating back to a Melbourne Cup heat on November 19 – Peter Presutto revealed she hasn’t been at her top.
“She’s had a few issues with her bloods,” he explained.
“I hate making excuses, but she’s not quite at her best at the moment.
“You’ve got to have a crack though and she could be spot on in two weeks. We’re not going to die wondering. That’s for sure!
“The problems started after the Temlee. She’s much better now, so there’s definitely been improvement.
WATCH: IDOLIZE (3) was a brilliant all-the-way winner of the Group 1 National Futurity at Wentworth Park on January 22, defeating kennelmate and litter sister CHIC (7) in 29.80sec.
“We missed the Australian Cup to try and get her right and then she went into the Matchmakers at Shepparton. I was just hoping to qualify for the final and was actually dumbfounded with how well she went.”
Idolize won heat (25.10sec) and final of the Matchmakers (25.06sec), before winning her Shepparton Cup heat in 25.01sec.
She then flew out to lead clearly from Box 5 in last Saturday’s Cup final, before becoming “tangled” up with record-breaking heat winner Mr. Audacious.
“I think she and Mr. Audacious hurt each other,” Presutto offered.
“If she wasn’t there, he probably breaks the record again and if he wasn’t there, she might have been off and gone. But that’s racing.”
Unbeaten in two appearances at Wentworth Park, Idolize has drawn Box 7, from where she’s also a perfect three from three, in Saturday night’s fifth heat of the $250,000 to-the-winner Golden Easter Egg (Race 5 at 7.26pm).
TAB has marked Idolize $3.40 second elect, behind local star Wow (Box 2) at $2.30, while she’s $16 in ‘All In’ betting.
“It’s the same situation as it was at Shepparton; we’re hoping she can qualify and take benefit from the run,” said Presutto.
“The difference is, it’s a Group 1, it’s in Sydney and it’s over 500m. It’s not a bad field either!
“On a positive note, Wentworth Park suits her and she likes it up there.
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“I don’t think she’s really a horseshoe dog. She’s more of a two-turn dog and Wentworth Park is a real two-turn track.
“Box 7 won’t be an issue. She seems to begin better from the outside, but I don’t think it really matters where she draws.
“If she jumps like she did at Shepparton, I’d like to think she’ll lead. I wouldn’t be surprised if she breaks 5.30sec early, but it’s not just a matter of leading; she’s got to keep going!
“But win, lose or draw, we love her and we’re so proud of her. She’s faultless to us in every way, on the racetrack and at home.
“It’ll be a very long time – if ever – before I get another one that can do what she’s done, to perform at such a high level at such a young age.”
Idolize winning the Group 2 Laurels at Sandown Park on December 16.
