The Basilinna camp aims for a repeat ‘win and you’re in’ scenario at Mornington this time around.
She gained a Melbourne Cup ballot spot last year after claiming the Andrew Ramsden (2800m) victory at Flemington in May.
David Browne and Emma-Lee, her trainers, haven’t closed the door on another Andrew Ramsden bid, yet the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on Saturday comes ahead.
Triumph there delivers a ballot exemption into October’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).
With two starts under her belt this campaign at 1800m and 2000m, David Browne views Saturday’s 2400m as ideal for the mare.
Browne notes she may need one more run to sharpen up, following a bone chip that derailed her spring last year and kept her out of the Melbourne Cup.
“She’s got a good soft draw so she should be able to sit in a good spot,” Browne said.
“Then we’ll need some luck getting out and hopefully there’s a bit of rain as that will help her out as well.
“A Soft 6 or 7, I would be happy, but if it stays a Soft 5, it’s still good for her.”
He approves of her performances across the two races this prep, where she was up against stronger opposition.
First-up last in the Peter Young Stakes (1800m) Caulfield, she was then eighth next out in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington March 28.
“I thought her run in a high-pressure race, against very good company, was excellent last time,” Browne said.
“She beat the horses she needed to beat, and that’s all you can ask.
“She feels better than she ever has, so we’re pretty happy in that way but the hardest thing with her is she has been one run behind.
“When you take a chip out like we had to last year, that puts you behind because she was a bit burly to start with, so that is why we had to go to the Australian Cup to play a bit of catch up and get a run into her.
“The first two weren’t suitable races for her to go in, but I thought she did a good job.”
Post-Saturday options for Basilinna are flexible.
The Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) May 7 or Listed Andrew Ramsden at Flemington May 16 loom as choices.
“If she went to Warrnambool, that might pull her up for the campaign as it is a pretty quick back-up to Flemington,” Browne said.
“I think we’ll play that last one by ear, whether we do both or pop her out.”
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