Betwitchery primed for Caulfield Heath return

The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin training outfit is anticipating that a return to racing on a bend will work in Betwitchery's favour.

After securing a third-place finish first-up down the Flemington straight last month, Betwitchery is slated to compete in the MSC Signs Handicap over 1200 metres at Caulfield Heath this Saturday.

Betwitchery, who has won five of her 19 career starts, finished behind Piastri and Royal Insignia at Flemington on July 18, with apprentice jockey Holly Durnan, who claims 3kg, in the saddle.

For Saturday's race, the Corstens and Larkin team has engaged Blake Shinn, who made his comeback to riding last Saturday at Flemington following a lengthy period due to injury, and he promptly completed a riding double.

Shinn partnered Betwitchery in a 800m jump-out at Flemington on Monday, where the mare crossed the line in fifth position.

According to Larkin, the intention behind giving Betwitchery a 'hit out' on Monday morning was to take the sharpness off the mare leading into Saturday.

"She just had a light tick over jump-out on Monday morning," Larkin relayed. "She is a horse that can get a bit fresh and keen up on speed and with three weeks between runs, I think it will take a little bit of the edge out of her and keep her nice and fit for the weekend."

Larkin mentioned that the stable was encouraged by Betwitchery's initial performance down the Flemington straight.

The form from that particular race seems to hold up well, with the second-placed horse, Royal Insignia, going on to finish second in the Group 3 Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington last Saturday.

Betwitchery concluded her previous campaign with a strong showing, winning three of her final four races, all of which were over 1400m.

"I think she's improved and has come back better which we saw in her first-up run," Corstens commented. "That was her first time down the straight, so I think getting back around a bend it will be good for her."

Betwitchery has been assigned the widest barrier in the field of 10 horses, where she will again face Piastri, who had the better of her in their most recent outing.

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