Zloties faces tougher test in the Bendigo Gold Bracelet

Trainer Grahame Begg is looking to maximise Zloties' potential in the final stages of her racing journey, starting with Saturday’s Bendigo Gold Bracelet (1400m).

Although the race doesn’t carry Black Type status, a strong performance could serve as a stepping stone to Stakes company, something Begg is eager to achieve before Zloties heads to the breeding barn.

The mare, now nearly six, has only recently begun to fulfill her early promise after injury setbacks delayed her career.

“We always liked her and that’s why we ran her as a two-year-old,” Begg said.

“We liked what she did, so we put her away, brought her back, but then she went sore, and she had a couple of bouts of soreness over a two-year period.”

Since returning, Zloties has looked sharp, winning at Geelong and Sandown, and continues to improve each run.

“She’s come back and has done a good job, but now we’ve got to work on her rating, and even if she wins on Saturday, her rating may not go up enough to get into those better races.”

Begg is exploring Group-level targets like the Queen Of The South Stakes, the Hawkesbury Crown, and the Dark Jewel Classic.

“She’s in her second full preparation now and being a five-year-old mare, our job is to try and get her some ‘Black Type’ because she’ll probably be going off to stud,” Begg said.

“She’s a well-bred mare, so we’ll see what sort of plan we can conjure up.

“There’s the Queen Of The South Stakes in Adelaide, there’s a nice race in Sydney, the Hawkesbury Crown, and then a couple of weeks after that there’s the Dark Jewel Classic at Scone.

“There are options for her, it’s just finding the right one.”