Robert Smerdon was convinced Anatina had returned to training an improved filly and he had that opinion confirmed in a first-up win at Flemington.
Smerdon thought the 1100m of Saturday’s Listed MSS Security Stakes was at the upper end of Anatina’s distance range, but the strength of her three-quarter length win over the favourite Gregers ($2.90) has the trainer thinking about better races.
Anatina (Adrienne Bicknell)
Anatina, sent out a $15 chance, could even be given her chance in the Group One Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide.
“We want to stay realisitic, but I suppose the fact she has won two Listed races, you start to raise the bar and that would be an option for her,” Smerdon said.
Smerdon said Anatina’s new-found strength would ensure the three-year-old had suitable racing options.
“I think it proves she has stepped up from the spring, which is great to see because 1100 metres used to see her out,” he said said.
“It looks as though she’ll possibly run a strong 1200 metres.”
Anatina is part-owned by Phil Sly and is destined to head to Japan for her breeding career.
“That’s Phil’s big-picture plan with his well-bred fillies that get to stakes level. They’ll end up in Japan,” Smerdon said.
