Grahame Begg mare to make a Splash in 2025 Empire Rose Stakes

Grahame Begg may not physically be at Flemington during Cup week due to his ongoing recovery from hip surgery, but the respected trainer remains heavily involved in preparing his stable runners — especially Splash Back, who is set to contest Saturday’s Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).

Begg continues to communicate daily with his stable staff as Splash Back approaches her biggest test of the spring.

The mare has been in excellent form, winning the Stocks Stakes (1500m) at Moonee Valley before placing second in the Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. That run came after a deliberate choice to keep her fresh and not stretch her out too early.

“I thought she ran very well at Caulfield,” Begg said.

“I didn’t want to run her over the mile beforehand, as I thought it might make her a bit dour, so that’s why I kept her at 1400 (metres) just to keep a bit of spring in her step.

“We thought she ran very, very well, but we thought at that stage of the day it wasn’t the best part of the track to be in.

“He also got dictated to where he was in the run, so overall it was a good performance.”

Jordan Childs, who partnered her to Group 2 success, takes the ride again.

Begg has steadily built Splash Back through the grades, utilising the ratings system to ensure she progressed at the right pace.

“This is the Grand Final, it is the race for the mares in the spring, and it’s come up a very strong race, as you would appreciate,” Begg said.

“Chris Waller has three good mares in there and Pride Of Jenni, I didn’t expect to see her, but she’ll put a bit of spice into the race, which may open it up and make it a race with a bit of attrition, which Splash Back relishes.”

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