Grahame Begg's Profligate targets black-type in Anzac Day Stakes
The Listed Anzac Day Stakes over the years at Flemington has delivered a number of strong contenders.
Victors in the 1400m two-year-old race have included Epimeles (2024), Tijuana (2022), Chaillot (2019), Vassilator (2017), Merchant Navy (2017), Long John (2013) and Confectioner (2003).
This event suits a horse with limited starts perfectly, one stepping up in distance without plans for travel elsewhere.
Grahame Begg's Profligate fits that profile, set to contest her second race on Saturday before a break to gear up for spring.
She claimed her maiden win at 1200m on debut at Pakenham on April 2.
"I wanted to give her another run before I turn her out and there really wasn't another race to run her in," Begg said.
"It's not easy to win first-up at 1200 metres, let alone being your first start in a race, and to be truthful she wasn't wound right up for it.
"She had jumped out well and showed us she was ready to go to the races and anything she did there was going to be a bonus.
"She was pretty raw but got the job done, so I thought 'let's roll the dice' and run her over 1400 metres on Saturday on the big track, which will suit her, and there's the added bonus of some Black Type.
"She can go for a break afterwards. It gives her a little bit more exposure and in previous years some nice horses have won it and gone on to do nice things."
According to Begg, the filly Profligate appears unpretentious but will mature into her physique, labelling her as a 'big, tally leggy girl'.
"She's a half-sister to Encap who ran third in the Doncaster last year and I liked her as a type, an athletic filly and she could develop into a spring filly, if we aim her right," Begg said.
"I wouldn't suggest she's going to be a middle-distance horse, but she might be one to run up to a mile.
"You certainly don't have to be running against the ones early in the spring as there's plenty of options for a three-year-old in the spring, and the autumn which can then set them up as four-year-olds."
Visit the online bookmakers to find the best betting markets for the race in the Anzac Day Stakes.
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