Rich Dottie set to shine in the Spirit Of Boom Classic

Grahame Begg is hoping the decision to bypass a run on a heavy track at the Sunshine Coast will pay a dividend at Doomben.

Begg has debut Caulfield Heath winner Rich Dottie engaged in the Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic (1200m) on Saturday.

Rich Dottie was down to run in the Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m) at the Sunshine Coast last Saturday.

“She was in last week and she drew the outside gate,” Begg said.

“It was a heavy 10, so we didn’t want to run her there, so we opted to wait with this race in view, or maybe next week, so we’ve decided to go this week.

“And I don’t think it’s as strong a race as last week now that the final field has come out.

“She’s drawn well on an improving track, not that I don’t think she will handle soft ground as she jumped out one day on very soft ground at Cranbourne and went through it like it was nothing.

“But you don’t want to be running them on a heavy 10 at their second start in a race.”

Rich Dottie created a good impression with her debut win and Begg pointed out the form from the race has been strong.

Finishing in the filly’s wake was Stormbourg who has been placed in two subsequent outings, while Harpalee and Over The Stars ran one-two in a race at Warrnambool during the Carnival.

Begg said how far the filly progresses this campaign won’t be decided until after she runs on Saturday.

“She may only run on Saturday and then go for a break and get ready for the spring,” Begg said.

“There’s not a lot up there unless she runs in the Sires’ Produce, so we’ll see how she goes on Saturday and have a think about that.

“We think she’s a spring filly.

She’s had a trip away, a couple of starts, so we could put her away and then start again.”