Dirty Look set for Caulfield riches in Begg's careful plan
Grahame Begg is known for his thorough preparation as a trainer, but occasionally even solid plans hit snags.
He figured he had a smart move lined up with apprentice Logan Bates riding Dirty Look in Saturday's Up & Coming Stars Series Final (Class 3) at Caulfield.
A standard $300,000 race wouldn't allow apprentice claims, yet this one does.
Unfortunately, Bates was suspended following last Saturday's Caulfield meeting, removing his 1.5kg claim from contention.
The ongoing Sydney Autumn Carnival and starting Adelaide Carnival created a scarcity of jockey options.
Begg got fortunate by booking Harry Coffey to partner Dirty Look on Saturday; they've won before, including on Nonconformist in the 2023 Group 2 Blamey Stakes at Flemington.
"I thought I had been very clever," Begg said.
"I had Logan Bates booked to ride her, and it was a claiming race.
"People probably didn't take much notice of that, and she would have got in with 53-½ (kilos) on her back, but he got suspended last Saturday, so that put an end to it."
On Saturday, the filly will tackle her fourth race overall against tougher opposition.
She broke maiden ranks at Sandown March 11 and followed with a runner-up effort there March 25.
"We're very happy with how she has progressed," Begg said.
"It's the fourth start of her preparation and after she runs on Saturday, she'll be going for a break.
"She's done everything we have asked her to do. She ran very well at her last start on the Sandown Lakeside course, where she drew out and got back, but she hit the line very well in what was a very much leader dominated race.
"She's been learning her craft, and she looks quite handy and we're certainly looking forward to Saturday."
Check the online bookmakers offering top racing betting markets for the Up & Coming Stars Series Final.
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