Too Darn Discreet ready to go in VRC Oaks
Ballarat trainer says he would not change anything as Too Darn Discreet looks to extend her winning sequence at Flemington.
The Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m) on Thursday will be the daughter of Too Darn Hot’s fourth win on end if successful.
Too Darn Discreet started the ball rolling with a maiden win at Sandown, progressing to the Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington then to the Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.
“I’ll tell you after Thursday whether it has been the perfect prep, but I wouldn’t change anything,” O’Sullivan said.
“I’m glad we didn’t go down on Saturday for the Wakeful because she’d had the run over 2000 metres before that.
“She galloped really well on Saturday morning, had a top up gallop on Tuesday, she’s got a good draw, barrier three, and she should get a good economical run from there.
“She’s ready to go.”
The 2500 metres on Thursday is unchartered waters, as it is for the filly’s 13 rivals, but O’Sullivan is confident she will stretch out.
O’Sullivan is also banking on a return to Flemington suiting the filly.
“She was very tough at the end of 2000 metres in the Ethereal, so I’ve got to be guided by that,” O’Sullivan said.
“I think she will be better suited on the bigger, flatter track at Flemington, and I think she looked better in the Edward Manifold than what she did at Caulfield, so you have to back yourself.
“She’s a very tough filly and we’ve done the work for her to run out the trip, and I think we have done that, so the proof will be on Thursday.”
Too Darn Discreet holds a nomination in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday week, but O’Sullivan said the filly would be in the paddock by the time that race is run.
“I put her in as a back-up, just in case there was a simple thing like she pulls a shoe off and gets a foot abscess, or something goes wrong, and you haven’t put yourself in there,” O’Sullivan said.
“You’re then in the paddock instead of going to a race that would have been an option, but it was purely as a back-up.
“She’ll be in the paddock after the weekend.
“We’ll give her a few days to let down and as she’s owned in South Australia we’ll prepare her for Adelaide and the Australasian Oaks.”
More Racing News
Augustus and Desert Hero debut in Flemington feature
While the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington doesn't carry the weight of the day's opening races, it has the potential to highlight future stars for major events ahead.Ciaron Maher will launch two newcomers from overseas in the Saturday 2000m race – Augustus and Desert Hero.Desert Hero already has Australian experience,...
Robbie Griffiths plans VRC Sires' Produce Stakes tilt with Almost An Angel
For the youngsters, the VRC Sires' Produce Stakes provides the debut opportunity to tackle a genuine journey.Now that the Blue Diamond Stakes, Victoria's top juvenile prize, has been run and captured last month, attention shifts for the fast two-year-olds to the Golden Slipper up in Sydney.Robbie Griffiths, however, set his...
Ipswich Friday features prepared Sir Maurice
With an advantageous claim on weight and a competitor set for a win, Jack Bruce is eager for Sir Maurice to perform at Ipswich this coming Friday.Marking his fifth run this campaign, the five-year-old offspring of champion Japanese sire Maurice enters the Great Northern Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m) for an...
Blinkers and McDonald for Hidrix in key Todman Stakes before Golden Slipper
Hidrix, once the top pick for the Golden Slipper, faces two major tweaks for his engagement in the Todman Stakes at Randwick: blinkers fitted and James McDonald in the saddle.Although McDonald guided stable companion Confederation during the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) Hidrix won and the Silver Slipper (1100m), he'll switch to...
Filly Caffe Florian emerges as next talent for Richard Litt
Though Richard Litt runs a modest team in numbers, he has proven adept at pinpointing quality performers.Responsible for training dual Group 1 champion Castelvecchio and Profondo's 2021 Spring Champion Stakes success, the Warwick Farm conditioner now seems to hold a fresh prospect in developing filly Caffe Florian.The three-year-old by Snitzel...
Waller's entrants set for All-Star Mile at Flemington
Leading handler Chris Waller embraces the All-Star Mile format since its promotion to Group 1.Launched back in 2019, the All-Star Mile moved between key Melbourne venues and mirrored Japan's Arima Kinen by letting the public choose their top pick.Changes were implemented in later years, and Waller entered sparingly.Securing Group 1...
Mark Zahra backs Tentyris to overcome weight in Newmarket
Mark Zahra, the jockey, doesn't see the allocated weight for Tentyris as a barrier to the colt capturing the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.To win the Group 1 1200m event at Flemington on Saturday, Tentyris must replicate the weight record set by Ajax back in 1938.The 57kg impost matches what Fastnet...
Freedman eyes Ninja's mile potential in Randwick Guineas
Michael Freedman counts on Ninja getting forward in the run as an essential element boosting his shot at the Group One Randwick Guineas.Unlike key challengers Autumn Boy and Attica, who prefer to come from off the pace, Ninja showed his flexibility in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) by tracking the pacesetter...
Experienced Coal Crusher set for Newcastle Stakes challenge
If Coal Crusher maintains his strong connection with the Newcastle venue, he could provide Joe Pride with an excellent beginning to his weekend on a prominent regional racing occasion.On a quick six-day freshen-up from his Liverpool City Cup (1300m) defeat at Randwick, the gelding lines up in Friday's Group 3...
Rawiller's decision spotlights Lady Shenandoah's Canterbury Stakes bid
With Ciaron Maher readying Gringotts for his seasonal reappearance in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick, another jockey has accidentally boosted the credentials of a prominent rival entrant.Nash Rawiller built an impressive alliance with Gringotts late in his previous campaign, notching successive wins in the Big Dance and The Gong.They were...