Flemington’s Listed Anzac Day Stakes has over time produced various solid performers across the years.
Previous winners of the 1400m two-year-old test consist of Epimeles (2024), Tijuana (2022), Chaillot (2019), Vassilator (2017), Merchant Navy (2017), Long John (2013) and Confectioner (2003).
The fixture is timely for a horse with few outings, stretching out in distance while remaining within state bounds.
Profligate, under the care of Grahame Begg, takes her second start on Saturday before resting for a spring return.
Her first victory came over 1200m at Pakenham upon debuting April 2.
“I wanted to give her another run before I turn her out and there really wasn’t another race to run her in,” Begg said.
“It’s not easy to win first-up at 1200 metres, let alone being your first start in a race, and to be truthful she wasn’t wound right up for it.
“She had jumped out well and showed us she was ready to go to the races and anything she did there was going to be a bonus.
“She was pretty raw but got the job done, so I thought ‘let’s roll the dice’ and run her over 1400 metres on Saturday on the big track, which will suit her, and there’s the added bonus of some Black Type.
“She can go for a break afterwards. It gives her a little bit more exposure and in previous years some nice horses have won it and gone on to do nice things.”
Begg described the filly Profligate as unremarkable in appearance yet poised to mature, dubbing her a ‘big, tally leggy girl’.
“She’s a half-sister to Encap who ran third in the Doncaster last year and I liked her as a type, an athletic filly and she could develop into a spring filly, if we aim her right,” Begg said.
“I wouldn’t suggest she’s going to be a middle-distance horse, but she might be one to run up to a mile.
“You certainly don’t have to be running against the ones early in the spring as there’s plenty of options for a three-year-old in the spring, and the autumn which can then set them up as four-year-olds.”
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