Randwick resurgence on cards for Splash Back with Brisbane in sight
Although Splash Back joins Sydney's Autumn Carnival belatedly, the $300,000 Sapphire Stakes remains vital to her training regimen.
Grahame Begg's charge, sidelined since trailing in the Empire Rose Stakes during Derby Day, begins her push towards Brisbane Group 1 targets in Saturday's 1200m Randwick feature.
After more than 20 years based at Randwick before moving to Victoria roughly ten years ago, Begg weighed the Group 1 Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Adelaide later this month for Splash Back, opting instead for this Group 2 as a preferable launchpad.
"I was thinking about possibly going to the Sangster, because she does race well fresh, but I thought that might be too much to ask her first-up," Begg said.
"So, I thought we'll take her to Sydney and run her in this race – (it's at) Randwick, a big track and she can be ridden where she's comfortable and be getting home at the finish."
This French-bred Le Havre filly has notched three Pakenham jumpouts for her return: a fourth place at 800m on March 3, then successes at 1000m on March 17 and 31.
"She did extremely well and I was having trouble getting the weight off her, but she's had a couple of very nice jumpouts," Begg said.
"I'm very happy with her and the way she's prepped up for the race.
You'd think in that grade they might be a bit sharp for her, but she'll be getting home well at the finish, I can assure you."
Resuming at Randwick alongside Splash Back for Begg's Queensland plans is She's A Hustler, tackling Pride Of Jenni, Lady Shenandoah and Treasurethe Moment among others in the $1 million Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
Her debut in the 1600m Group 1 follows victory in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield on November 29, positioning her nicely for the Hollindale Stakes, Doomben Cup and Q22.
"We're under no illusions, it's not going to be easy for her first-up, but she's going very well," Begg said.
In Saturday's 14-runner affair, She's A Hustler has barrier six with Jordan Childs aboard, the same jockey piloting Splash Back from barrier two.
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