Miraval Rose's early spring campaign begins at Caulfield

The Grahame Begg stable is set to commence an early spring campaign by utilising a late-season weight-for-age contest.

Miraval Rose is scheduled to compete in the 1100-metre Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, marking her return to the track since her fourth-place finish in the Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill in November.

The mare, now approaching six years old, missed the autumn season due to what trainer Begg described as 'a minor setback, nothing serious'. However, she has since shown good progress in her preparation for this comeback.

Miraval Rose has undergone three trials or jump-outs leading up to Saturday's event. She finished second over 800 metres in May, followed by another second in a 900-metre trial at Caulfield Heath on June 11, and concluded with a win in a 1000-metre jump-out at Pakenham Synthetic on June 23.

Begg acknowledged that the 1100-metre distance of Saturday's race is less than Miraval Rose's ideal trip, but stated that the run is part of a broader strategic plan.

He indicated that the mare is likely to target the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on July 25, paving the way for an early assault on some of the more prestigious early spring weight-for-age races.

"She had a little bit of a setback, nothing major, and that's why she didn't race in the autumn," Begg commented. "We've brought her up nice and steady, but she's not really well suited on the ground. She's trialled good, she's prepped up good, but there was nothing for her, so that's why we've spaced her trials. She's OK on the soft, but hopefully we get a fairly good rest of the week, while the 1100 metres is probably a bit short of her best distance. It's probably not ideal, but it's a matter of getting a run under her belt and then she can push on to the Bletchingly after that. We're trying to get a bit of fitness on the other ones late in the season and then she might be able to go on to the PB Lawrence (1400m at Caulfield on August 15), or something like that, or there's those mares' races in the early spring."

Last spring, Miraval Rose made a strong start. After a third-place run first-up at Moonee Valley, she went on to win at the same track before claiming the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) at Flemington in October.

Jockey Harry Coffey is set to ride the mare for the initial time on Saturday. For those looking to back a winner, check out the leading online bookmakers for the best racing odds.