Caulfield Heath showcase workout for On Display prior to Flemington comeback
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr's yard has chosen an atypical approach by staging a public gallop for On Display at Caulfield Heath in readiness for her seasonal return.
The mare On Display gears up for her fresh appearance in the Group 3 Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap (1400m) over 1400m at Flemington on Saturday.
According to Price, it's standard practice to work the horse on Wednesday before Saturday racing, but heading to a midweek metropolitan event three days prior to her return was seen as a departure.
The trainer elaborated that On Display bears substantial condition and will profit considerably from venturing away from her Cranbourne base.
"I would gallop, at home, on a Wednesday, no trouble, but she has plenty of condition on her and after that she should be pretty right for Saturday," Price said.
"She came into us and has been there at Cranbourne the whole time, and there was the opportunity to stimulate her, and adrenalise her, by bringing her here which was fantastic.
"It just sparks her ahead of Saturday and it was exactly what I wanted, along with a gallop on a beautiful surface."
This Saturday marks On Display's debut since securing third in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last spring.
Seamus Mills, a key investor in On Display, revealed that future plans for the mare rely on her performance next time out.
The strategy involves the Sunline Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield on March 21 and subsequently the Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield on April 11.
"If she wins the Sunline, she may get weighted out of her next start, the Anniversary Vase at Caulfield, a Listed race against the boys," Mills said.
"Then the plan is to go back to Adelaide for the race she should have won last year, the Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes (on April 25).
"But if she wins the Sunline, then we'll probably have to readjust that program."
Ben Melham, aboard for the midweek gallop on Wednesday, picks up the ride again on Saturday.
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