Trainer Gillian Heinrich will take a “look and see” approach with stablemates Military Grace and Pensive Dream when the pair clash in the Listed Mode Plate at Doomben on Saturday.
Military Grace starred as an early two-year-old, winning twice in Brisbane following her second on debut at Flemington last year, before going on to fail in the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast in January.
However, the daughter of General Nediym proved a major disappointment next campaign when she stepped up to the big time during the Brisbane winter carnival.
After beating only two home in her comeback in the Group Two Champagne Classic at Doomben in May, the three-year-old also went poorly when unplaced to Hot Snitzel in the Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes and Benfica in the Group One TJ Smith at Eagle Farm in June.
Heinrich is still at a loss to explain Military Grace’s below-par winter form and has mixed feelings about her two runs back this campaign.
Military Grace finished a moderate sixth in her comeback over 1010 metres at Doomben on November 5 before a last-start ninth to Saraji over 1110 metres on the same track two weeks later.
“She won a couple of Listed races as a two-year-old but she didn’t fire for some reason as a three-year-old but fillies can do that,” Heinrich said.
“There’s nothing wrong with her but I’m not sure why she didn’t come up last campaign.
“I liked her first run back this prep but I’m not sure how to rate her last run when she lost a plate.”
Heinrich will monitor Military Grace’s performance before deciding whether to aim her for the $1 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 14.
“She loves wet tracks and if she wins then we’ll probably take the Magic Millions road,” she said.
“Pensive Dream has only won a maiden and is stepping up to the big league in this.
“I’ve always liked her and I took her away to Melbourne for her first run last year.
“She doesn’t like hard tracks so hopefully she’ll go better on a heavy track.”
Heinrich would have a third runner in the Mode Plate if emergency Moroccan Dancer obtains a start.
Moroccan Dancer has been placed twice from four starts and is resuming following her last-start third in a two-year-old maiden at Doomben in late July.
AAP TURF
