Pateman to take a soft approach with Feels Playful

Feels Playful won’t be given a testing winter campaign with trainer Mitchell Pateman electing to take a soft approach with his talented filly.

Mitchell Pateman is eager to get Feels Playful back at the races, albeit for a cameo preparation before he explores feature races at Ascot later this year.

Pateman is certain that Feels Playful has the ability to follow up in big Ascot races after she reached stakes level in a breakout autumn campaign.

Feels Playful won the Challenge Stakes (1500m) and ran two seconds in the Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m) and WA Breeders Classic (1400m).

The Playing God three-year-old, who has not raced since the Ascot 1000 Guineas five months ago, warmed up for her return in a Lark Hill trial on Monday.

With regular rider Holly Watson partnering, Feels Playful blew out the cobwebs with a close second to Perth Cup (2400m) champion Buster Bash.

Pateman says Feels Playful got what she needed out of her 950m Lark Hill trial.

“She did a good job and didn’t have the blinkers on,” Pateman told The Races WA.

“She was there for a hit out, she trialled well, she needs 1400m, 1500m.

“She did a good job and I’m happy with her.

“She’ll run on July 29 and then go to the paddock for a short break and then come back for the carnival.

“She’s strengthened right up and matured a lot.

“She’s done everything she needed to do.

“You can tell by looking at her she’s a lot bigger and stronger now.

“She was already a big girl and has taken very positive steps.”

If Pateman is upbeat about the return of Feels Playful, he has similar sentiments about unraced two-year-old, Almighty Class.

The Playing God gelding took out heat six at Lark Hill in dominant fashion, leading all the way to win by close to six lengths.

Pateman is excited to unleash Almighty Class at Ascot in late July for his debut appearance.

“He’s a very good horse and we’ve been excited about him for a while,” Pateman said.

“It’s good to get him back to the trials.

“He had one trial last prep, but went shin sore.

“He seems good, really good.

“He’ll probably go to the races on the 29th of July.

“He’s one of my better ones, that’s for sure.

“We really like him.”

Meanwhile at Belmont on Wednesday, Pateman has high hopes Zenique can salute in the opening race.

The Universal Ruler gelding ran fourth to Red Square on debut two weeks ago and Pateman thinks he can go on with it.

“He should go close and is looking for 1400m, that should suit him a lot better,” Pateman said.

“He was a pretty good run on debut and would be pretty hard to beat I would have thought.”

Zenique is $3.80 with Tabtouch in the Book Your Christmas In July Celebration at Belmont-29th July Plate (1400m).

He sits behind the $2.25 favourite, Ancient Guidance.