Path to Australasian Oaks opens up for Mating Call
Although the filly could be bearing the brunt of racing against top-tier rivals last season, Mating Call shows promise to rise above it on her journey to a conceivable Australasian Oaks position.
Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray, her co-handlers, remain delighted by how their promising youngster has advanced after competing in stakes events in Melbourne, with her comeback effort in the M&J Chickens Handicap (1300m) at Morphettville Parks on Saturday offering a promising prospect, albeit the 60kg impost might pose a minor hurdle.
"She's had a jump-out and two barrier trials because I wanted her fit and pretty well primed up to be very competitive first-up," Clarken said.
"The weight is a little bit of a worry but she certainly is a talent so she probably deserves to get it."
The daughter of Brazen Beau failed to break her maiden in Melbourne but notched solid results, notably a Racing and Sports mark over 105 for her third-place finish, missing by only half a length in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m). Getta Good Feeling took that prize before triumphing in the Inglis Sprint (1200m).
Additionally, she earned a rating of 103 when fifth in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m), defeated by Ole Dancer who is a $7 shot in Saturday's Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill.
"Since being in Melbourne she has definitely grown up," Clarken added.
"Her runs over there were terrific and she has matured into a better type of horse and is more tractable.
"She trialled in earmuffs once and then trialled at Oakbank the other day without them and she was good so in that respect she has matured.
"Over the spring she was a bit timid around other horses."
The filly's trainer has plotted a defined route ahead, commencing with the Listed Clare Lindop Stakes (1600m) March 28, proceeding to the Group 3 Auraria Stakes (1800m), leading into the $1 million Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville April 25.
For Saturday, Mating Call is at $3.80 while Travis Doudle’s Sir Myka leads at $3.10.
"From the soft draw (barrier two), she should be able to perch herself up there and I think there is reasonable speed in the race so she should be able to find herself a nice spot there," Clarken said.
"It wouldn't surprise me if she just goes straight past them."
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