Exciting filly Great Dame faces a showdown with VRC Oaks winner Mosheen in what will be a campaign-defining run in The Vanity at Flemington.
Trainer Greg Eurell said Great Dame was worthy of a crack at the better fillies and he hopes to be able to map out a stakes program with confidence after Saturday’s 1410m Group Three event.
“I certainly think she is worthy of having a go in race like this on Saturday,” Eurell said.
“Both her runs this time in have been full of merit and stepping up to 1400 metres is not going to be a problem.
“It is a class test for sure and Mosheen is the one to beat, but she (Great Dame) will come out of a soft barrier (three) to jump into a good position.
“It will give us a very good idea of what direction we can head with her.
“Hopefully she is up to the better fillies in the autumn and can target a few of the Group races here or even in Sydney.”
Great Dame has been a revelation for Eurell.
Getting a guide on her at trackwork has been hard because of her free-going nature, meaning she has to work solo, but she is unbeaten in two starts this campaign.
She was spelled after her race debut when fourth at Seymour in August and last month resumed with an eight-length win at Stony Creek before a runaway win at Sandown where she beat Segue by 3-1/4 lengths over 1300 metres.
“She always works handy enough but she has never been sent out to run any time or break any records,” Eurell said.
“She finds a bit on race day.”
Meanwhile, Dan Nikolic expects Mosheen to build on her first-up win in the Manfred Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield two weeks ago.
“You would be disappointed if she couldn’t beat those fillies on the weekend,” Nikolic said.
“She’s got to give them all 3.5kg but she has earned that.
“She is definitely the class horse of the race.”
Nikolic said Mosheen was a tough filly and he expected her to win first-up after her nine-length win in the Oaks last November but was surprised with how well she won after the break.
He said Mosheen was still improving this campaign and that The Vanity would bring her on for a clash with Caulfield Guineas winner Helmet in the Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 3.
“He (Helmet) is a class act but she will give him good a race and this run will top her off for the mile at Flemington,” Nikolic said.
AAP TURF
