The Clint McDonald trained Ancient Girl (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) notched the biggest win of her career at Morphettville last month, and the Cranbourne-based horseman hopes a second dash to Adelaide can deliver a similar result at the highest level.
The promising three-year-old daughter of Turn Me Loose is set for her first Group One start in Saturday’s Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville.
“She’s going terrific, she won very well there in a Listed race last time,” McDonald said of the dominant on-speed win on Adelaide Cup Day.
A candid McDonald admits he made an error in sending Ancient Girl to Moonee Valley following the Adelaide win but has been pleased with the horse since the lackluster showing in the Gr.3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m).
“I probably made a mistake backing her up too soon at Moonee Valley, I was probably a bit soft on her and she raced a bit flat,” McDonald said.
A winner in three of her eight career starts, McDonald was pleased with Ancient Girl’s run in last Saturday’s three-year-old Handicap at Caulfield over the mile, with a change of tactics employed.
“I thought her run the other day at Caulfield was very good,” McDonald said.
“I decided to take a sit just so she didn’t want to get charging and leading all the time, and she had no luck down the run.
“Her work since the race has been as good as it’s been all preparation and we’re going into the race quietly confident; she can run top five for sure.”