Abounding eyes Tattersall's Tiara after Stradbroke disappointment
Presenting a striking appearance, Abounding looked in prime condition when paraded at Robert Heathcote's stable prior to the Stradbroke Handicap. However, the Group 1 race was not her target, with the Tattersall's Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday now the focus for the five-year-old mare. This event provides Abounding the opportunity to surpass her second-place finish from 2025.
"She's always been a good type and she's healthy and she's happy," Heathcote commented. "She's eaten well and she's working well. We'd aimed for this even when I took her down to Sydney in March, we just wanted to put a fitness run into her and to freshen her up for the carnival."
Abounding's run in Queensland's premier race, won by Spicy Martini over 1400m on June 13, saw her finish 14th. However, she was only six lengths adrift of the winner, and the heavy track conditions were a mitigating factor.
"The Stradbroke was a speed bump on an unsuitable track for her but I think she ran ok. She's done well and we haven't done much with her since that run as that would have topped her off fitness wise."
"I just hope we get a track that is not too wet. I think it is a mistake that a lot of people make with Eagle Farm track in that when it gets wet it shouldn't be graded soft five or six, or heavy eight or nine. It should be the amount of shiftiness because it gets so shifty. Either a horse can handle that or they can't. If we get a Good 4 for or a Soft 5, I think she can go one better than last year."
Her victory in the BRC Sprint on May 23 made Abounding the first mare to claim the prize since Red Tracer in 2010. She will be partnered again by Tim Clark, who rode her to that success, for the Tiara where she is listed as a $7 chance in the pre-nomination markets.
"Tim knows his stuff and they just get the job done, those top Sydney boys," Heathcote remarked.
She's Got Pizzazz, initially the $4 favourite, will not participate after nominations closed Monday. Grahame Begg's Splash Back currently leads the market at $4.40.
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