Trainer Mick Kent will confer with the owners of last year’s Group One Australian Oaks winner Absolutely before finalising a path to next month’s Brisbane Cup at Eagle Farm.
Kent has nominated Absolutely for the Group Three Chairman’s Handicap at Doomben on Saturday but is undecided whether the four-year-old will start in the 2000 metre feature.
Kent sent the daughter of Redoute’s Choice to Queensland hoping to strike wet tracks but a turnaround in the weather to perfect sunny conditions has disrupted his plans.
Absolutely hasn’t raced since finishing ninth to More Joyous in the Group One Doncaster Mile at Randwick last month but has pleased Kent since arriving in Queensland.
“We thought we’d follow the rain so we sent her up there after the Doncaster,” Kent said.
“I’m undecided if she’ll run in the Chairman’s and haven’t locked in the race yet.
“We hoped to go to the Doomben Cup with her but it looks like being a strong race this year.”
Kent cannot fault Absolutely’s work since her arrival but would prefer a soft track.
“She’s galloped well this week but she likes the give in the ground,” he said.
“She competed well in the Caulfield Cup last year when she was only beaten about six lengths.”
Absolutely’s only win in her 14-start career was on a heavy track in last year’s Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick.
“It looks a nice race for her on Saturday but we’d prefer some give in the track,” Kent said.
“She’s in great nick and we’re trying to get to the Brisbane Cup the best way we can with her.
“It’s three weeks since she last ran in the Doncaster.”
The Group Two Brisbane Cup (2400m) will be run on June 9.
Kent has booked Melbourne jockey Brad Rawiller to partner Absolutely if she makes her Brisbane debut in the Chairman’s Handicap.
Kent wasn’t disappointed with the mare’s Doncaster Mile performance.
“She ran a terrific race in the Doncaster which wasn’t her best distance,” he said.
“She drew wide and we hoped she’d be able to get over but she was always deep.
“It was going to be a heavy track that day but it dried out remarkably.”
Kent is hopeful Absolutely can develop into a spring contender once she completes her winter campaign.
