Trainer Tom Dabernig is planning for Cavalry Girl to contest the Carlyon Stakes as a lead-in to a Group 1 campaign at Sandown.
The Group 3 Carlyon Stakes, a 1000-metre race, will be held at Sandown on Saturday, with the Group 1 Moir Stakes over the same distance following two weeks later.
Both races are conducted by the Moonee Valley Racing Club, but due to track redevelopment, they have been transferred this year.
The Carlyon Stakes and Moir Stakes are anticipated to return to Moonee Valley next year.
Cavalry Girl has found her best form, winning a Listed race at Morphettville on July 25 before taking out a benchmark 100 race at Caulfield Heath on August 8.
Dabernig had considered giving Cavalry Girl a spell for Stakes races during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, but is hesitant to turn the mare out while she is in peak condition.
“It’s Group 3, it’s 1000 metres,” Dabernig remarked about the Carlyon Stakes.
“Sandown is a bit of an unknown, but they run the Moir at Sandown this year, so I thought it was a good opportunity to see how she handles the track as we have got the Moir in the back of our mind.
“I was considering Flemington, but while she’s in such a purple patch of form and she keeps pulling up well, the Carlyon could be there as potentially a winnable race, so you’re crazy not to consider it.
“And if she runs well enough, and pulls up well enough, there is the Group 1 there a couple of weeks later.”
If Cavalry Girl takes her place in the race, it is expected Craig Williams will be the jockey.
Williams was aboard the then three-year-old when she finished second to Signature Scent at Caulfield on July 11, with Todd Pannell winning on her at Morphettville.
Linda Meech rode her to victory last start.
“Craig hasn’t ridden her a lot, but he was in Ukraine last start,” Dabernig informed.
“Linda’s ridden her and could ride that light weight, but it will be Craig this time.”
Dabernig also has Dreamzel nominated for Saturday’s Group 3 sprint, but stated the mare would likely be saved for a benchmark 78 grade race at Bendigo on Wednesday week.
The Carlyon Stakes has 16 nominations, headlined by Group 1 Thousand Guineas winner Ole Dancer.
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