Trainer Tom Dabernig is weighing up whether talented mare Cleo Cat will take on the famed Flemington straight this Saturday, targeting a heat of the Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series over 1100m.
The upcoming run is being considered as a trial to determine Cleo Cat’s ability to handle the unique Flemington straight course—a factor that could shape her racing program for the coming months.
If she handles the test, Dabernig has his sights set on two key Flemington targets: the Listed Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final (1200m) on July 5 and the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) on August 2.
However, should Cleo Cat fail to fire down the straight, alternative options around a bend at Caulfield include the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) on July 12 and the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) on July 26.
“We’re looking as though we’ll go to Flemington to run in an 1100-metre open handicap on Saturday which will be a bit of a test run,” Dabernig said.
“There’s a Listed 1200-metre race two weeks later that may suit her, or if we see that she doesn’t handle the straight we just scrap that for the Sir John Monash Stakes and the Bletchingly Stakes.
But if she does, there is the Aurie’s Star up the straight as well.
There are plenty of options for her, but I just want to see her down the straight as it will open up a few doors if she goes well down there.”
Cleo Cat has been ultra-consistent, boasting seven wins from nine starts including a Group 3 success in the Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville last month.
One of her rare defeats came at Geelong in January under extreme heat, and she was narrowly beaten by Niance last start in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on May 31.
Dabernig noted that Cleo Cat will gallop on the grass at Warrnambool on Tuesday before making a final call on whether she lines up at Flemington.
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