The $300,000 Sapphire Stakes is central to Splash Back’s late arrival at Sydney’s Autumn Carnival.
Grahame Begg prepares the mare, off since a lacklustre Empire Rose Stakes run on Derby Day, for Brisbane Group 1 action starting with Randwick’s 1200m on Saturday.
Having trained at Randwick for over two decades before a Victorian move ten years prior, Begg mulled the Group 1 Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Adelaide this coming month, settling on this Group 2 for a stronger campaign start.
“I was thinking about possibly going to the Sangster, because she does race well fresh, but I thought that might be too much to ask her first-up,” Begg said.
“So, I thought we’ll take her to Sydney and run her in this race – (it’s at) Randwick, a big track and she can be ridden where she’s comfortable and be getting home at the finish.”
Three Pakenham jumpouts grace the Le Havre-bred French mare’s lead-up: 800m fourth on March 3, then 1000m triumphs on March 17 and 31.
“She did extremely well and I was having trouble getting the weight off her, but she’s had a couple of very nice jumpouts,” Begg said.
“I’m very happy with her and the way she’s prepped up for the race.
You’d think in that grade they might be a bit sharp for her, but she’ll be getting home well at the finish, I can assure you.”
Splash Back isn’t alone from Begg’s Queensland contingent at Randwick, with She’s A Hustler to meet Pride Of Jenni, Lady Shenandoah and Treasurethe Moment in the $1 million Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
From her November 29 Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) success at Caulfield, the 1600m Group 1 provides a fitting path to the Hollindale Stakes, Doomben Cup and Q22.
“We’re under no illusions, it’s not going to be easy for her first-up, but she’s going very well,” Begg said.
Saturday’s 14-horse field sees She’s A Hustler in barrier six under Jordan Childs, who also handles Splash Back from barrier two.
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