Regal Ambition's Thousand Guineas bid faces wide gate challenge

Despite drawing barrier 11 for Saturday's Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield, jockey Michael Dee is not deterred and is enthusiastic about his chances with Lindsay Park filly Regal Ambition.

The horse and jockey combination has already secured two wins from as many starts this season, and they are now set to tackle the $1 million Group 1 event.

Dee's initial assessment of the filly occurred at a Pakenham jumpout on August 25, where he sensed her potential for significant races. "The first time I sat on her was her second jump out on the Pakenham Synthetic and she gave me a really good feel that morning," he recalled.

He elaborated on her physical attributes and racing style: "She's got a big action, she's not a big, strong filly – she's quite tall and leggy – and eventually she might strengthen up and fill out into a frame a little bit more, but now she's got that lovely action and great turn of foot.

"Very early in the spring I probably didn't know what she was capable of, but when she won at Sandown, that's when I had something to really look forward to and then last start I thought she was the one that's a chance to really boost my spring."

Regal Ambition, carrying The Racing League's Vic Husslers' colours, ascended to favouritism in the Guineas betting after defeating Pretty Baby, the then-favourite, in the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1440m). This followed her maiden victory over 1200m at Sandown.

Her debut earlier in the year saw her finish second to Tolaga Bay in a 1200m Ballarat maiden, with Lachlan Neindorf riding at the time.

The filly was assigned barrier 11 in the field of 13 on Tuesday. Dee acknowledged that while he would prefer a quicker start, his main concern is ensuring Regal Ambition gets a smooth run through the race, given her tendency to be tardy away.

"The query is that she's been slow away from the barriers at the jumpouts and her first two starts (this time in)," Dee commented. "If we get the right run, she should be right thereabouts."

Other notable contenders also drew wide, including Over The Bridge. De Armas, a Flight Stakes placegetter, drew nine, while Saintly Dancer and Pretty Baby are expected to benefit from drawing gates four and five respectively.

With the Thousand Guineas approaching, it's worth checking the latest racing odds available on Australian betting sites.