The combined training efforts of Leon and Troy Corstens, along with Will Larkin, are pinning their hopes on Betwitchery performing well when racing around a bend.
After a third-place finish first-up down the straight at Flemington last month, Betwitchery is set to contest the MSC Signs Handicap over 1200 metres at Caulfield Heath this Saturday.
Betwitchery, a mare with five wins from 19 starts, finished behind Piastri and Royal Insignia at Flemington on July 18, with 3kg claiming apprentice Holly Durnan in the saddle.
For Saturday’s outing, the Corstens and Larkin team has secured the riding services of Blake Shinn. Shinn recently returned to the saddle at Flemington last Saturday after an extended injury lay-off, marking his comeback with a riding double.
Shinn partnered Betwitchery in an 800m jump-out at Flemington on Monday, where the mare secured fifth place.
Larkin explained that the purpose of the jump-out was to help Betwitchery shed some of her freshness before Saturday’s race.
“She just had a light tick over jump-out on Monday morning,” Larkin said. “She is a horse that can get a bit fresh and keen up on speed and with three weeks between runs, I think it will take a little bit of the edge out of her and keep her nice and fit for the weekend.”
Larkin further indicated that the stable was buoyed by Betwitchery’s performance in her initial run down the Flemington straight.
The form from that race appears to be strong, with the second-placed horse, Royal Insignia, having gone on to finish second in the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington last Saturday.
Betwitchery concluded her previous racing campaign with a flourish, winning three of her last four starts, all of which were run over 1400m.
“I think she’s improved and has come back better which we saw in her first-up run,” Corstens stated. “That was her first time down the straight, so I think getting back around a bend it will be good for her.”
Betwitchery has drawn the widest barrier in the 10-horse field, where she will once again face Piastri, who proved superior in their last start.
Consider the available racing odds at Australian betting sites for this race.
