Sadler, John, is expected to aim for significant Black Type with Merrigold on the Caulfield program.
Last Saturday’s benchmark 84 success over 1400m at Caulfield has trainer Sadler eyeing the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) there this Saturday.
The trainer observed that as a mare, Merrigold rebounds effectively from her races, and the Black Type carrot is one the connections should grab.
A Saturday start for Merrigold means her second Stakes test, after running tail-end in November’s Group 3 How Now Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Yet Merrigold stands out for reliability among mares this season, with a pair of wins plus three placings in five goes since January.
“She backs up very, very well,” Sadler said.
“That win on Saturday was good and I haven’t got a problem backing her up.
“She comes through her races super and the whole idea this preparation has been, hopefully, being a mare, to get some Black Type.
“We’ve got a Listed race on Saturday and looking at the nominations, it’s not going to be an easy race, but I think she well and truly deserves her place in the field.
“Saturday is Black Type, so that will do me, but then perhaps we could go to Adelaide, but I don’t want to get too greedy, as I still think she’s climbing the ladder.”
Trainer Sadler stressed that Saturday-to-Saturday backups are horse-specific, based on stable recovery.
Merrigold is spot-on for it.
“She just flies through her races,” Sadler said.
“On Monday morning she was five kilos heavier than she was on Saturday morning, which is quite incredible.
“She’s a very professional racehorse, one everyone would like.”
Thirty entrants have nominated for the Anniversary Vase, with Melbourne Cup placer Middle Earth in the mix.
Tuesday’s weights allot Merrigold 54kg.
For the Anniversary Vase, top betting sites provide excellent sports betting options.