Michael Rodd doesn’t doubt Villa Verde’s class but admits he does have a query over the filly at the Sires’ Produce Stakes distance.
Villa Verde came to Sydney as a leading Golden Slipper contender but has been no match for Overreach in her two autumn starts.
Villa Verde winning the Ottowa Stakes at Flemington - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia (Steven Dowden)
The filly finished seventh in last Saturday’s Golden Slipper, won by Overreach, but Rodd believes the slow track stopped her from figuring in the placings.
“If it’s a drier track (on Saturday) it’s going to suit us a lot more,” Rodd said.
“We just need to get a nice run in transit and hopefully she can show her class and put herself in the finish.”
Villa Verde won her two spring starts in Melbourne over 1000m and her two Sydney starts have been over 1200m.
Rodd said as the Golden Slipper was the filly’s target, he does have a question mark over her at the 1400m.
“I always thought maybe 1200 metres might see her out just because she’s got that good turn of foot. I don’t want to lose that,” he said.
“But in these two-year-old races, you never know. If we can get an easy run I can just hold her up and ping home.”
