South Australian trainer David Page is hopeful Saturday’s Group 3 Leon Macdonald Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville will serve as the perfect lead-up for stable favourite Wild Imagination, with the mare also being aimed at the Balaklava Cup and potentially the Perth Cup later this year.

The daughter of Makfi provided Page with his career highlight earlier in 2025 when she won the Listed Premier’s Plate (2000m). She has had two runs this campaign, finishing unplaced in both the Mildura Cup and the Behemoth Stakes, but her trainer remains pleased with her progress.

Page admits the eight-year-old may find the 1400m short of her best but believes she is capable of a bold showing despite being rated a $51 chance. “She’s probably not at her right trip just yet but just with her rating as high as it is, it’s a bit hard to place her,” Page said.

“Last time in, she went a lot better when we raced her every 10 to 14 days so we thought we’d run in the Behemoth last start and we picked up a bit of chaff money. We’ll keep poking her along and probably go to the Balaklava Cup after Saturday.”

Page also confirmed he plans to head west later in the year. “I’m going to head to Esperance in November for the season over there so, all going well, we’ll take her over there and possibly run her in the Perth Cup. We’ve been planning the trip for a couple of years and it’s all happening now so we’ll see how we go.”

While Victorian raiders Splash Back, Running By and Café Millenium head the betting for Saturday’s race, Page hopes Wild Imagination can again deliver on her trademark toughness.

Punters can follow Wild Imagination’s run in the Leon Macdonald Stakes and her upcoming spring campaign at Australia’s top betting sites.