West Australian trainer Dan Morton may have had his confidence dented when Bliss Street was beaten last start but he remains optimistic about the filly’s chances in the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.
Morton said the daughter of Flying Spur was peaking for Wednesday’s Group One 1600-metre feature but he was mindful of the thrashing Mosheen gave her in the Group Two Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
“I have got reservations but I am very happy with our filly going into the race this week,” Morton said.
“It is a tough race with half-a-dozen genuine chances but this was the race we have been aiming at and, hopefully, having her right for.
“It is small field, but a quality field, and we have been up with them so far so hopefully things will go our way and we will be right amongst it.”
TAB Sportsbet offered as much as $51 for Bliss Street for the Thousand Guineas and brought her into $13 after she won the Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on September 17.
However, since her 2-3/4 second to Mosheen at Flemington she has eased to $21 on the fourth line of betting.
Mark Kavanagh’s unbeaten dominant favourite Atlantic Jewel ($1.45) continues to firm ahead of Mosheen ($5.50) while next best is Hallowell Belle ($17).
Atlantic Jewel’s stablemate Celebrity Girl is also $21.
Morton said the slowly-run Edward Manifold didn’t suit Bliss Street and he was hoping for a genuine pace on Wednesday.
“Mosheen was too good for us the other day, too quick for us off a slow tempo,” he said.
“She beat us fair and square but Wednesday is a different ball game.
“She (Bliss Street) has been competitive so far and looks to be right in it.
He said barrier eight was suitable and gave her options.
“I am happy to draw out a little bit and if we can get a good run hopefully we will be somewhere near them,” Morton said.
Mosheen has barrier 10 in the 12-horse field while Peter Moody-trained Hallowell Belle has barrier nine and her stablemate and Stutt Stakes runner-up Cute Emily gate one.
Celebrity Girl has barrier two and Atlantic Jewel has barrier four as she attempts to be the sixth favourite in nine years to win the Thousand Guineas.
At her current quote she would be the shortest priced winner since Alinghi at $1.70 in 2004 while Miss Finland ($1.90 in 2006) is the other odds-on winner in the last decade.
Last-start Sydney winner Disputes has barrier 11 as Darley’s head trainer Peter Snowden tries to land the Guineas double following Helmet’s win in last Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas.
AAP TURF
