Options abound for Poifect

A three-year-old fillies Stakes race at Flemington could determine the direction that Poifect takes later in her spring campaign.

Poifect is engaged to run in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday with her Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes having an open mind on her potential ‘Grand Final’.

Options include the VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on November 9 or the Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on November 18.

The Thousand Guineas is being run for the first time in a new timeslot this year, a month after it has been traditionally run during the Caulfield Cup Carnival.

Ben Hayes said the team was keen to see how Poifect performs over 1600m on Saturday, before deciding on two available options for three-year-old fillies on Caulfield Cup Day, one over 1400m and the other at 2000m.

Poifect was an impressive debut winner at Geelong in June before returning from a break to finish third in the Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 23.

“She ran over 1400 metres first-up in a Stakes race and I thought she just peaked a bit to finish third,” Hayes said.

“Depending on how she runs, we’ll either step her up to 2000 metres or keep her at the mile and aim towards the Thousand Guineas.

“There is the option of going to 1400 metres for the Thousand Guineas Prelude or stepping up to the 2000 metres of the Ethereal Classic.

“We could even try her at the 2000 metres and if she wins then we could press on to the Oaks, but if she doesn’t look like she will stay the trip, we can freshen her up for the Thousand Guineas.

“The Spring Carnival looks a bit different for the three-year-old fillies this year, but there are options.”