Classy mare Miss Octopussy has made a timely return to winning form ahead of next month’s Group One The Goodwood in Adelaide.
A month after finishing third to Response in Adelaide’s Group One Sportingbet Classic (1200m), the four-year-old mare landed the Bill Collins Hcp (1100m) at Caulfield.
Ridden by apprentice Adam McCabe and shouldering 57kg, Miss Octopussy had to draw on her reserves to score a long neck win over the luckless Rue Maple who was bumped at the 150m when third-placed Beldara shifted out abruptly.
Fourth-placed Zarock suffered interference in the incident and jockey Jason Maskiell protested unsuccessfully against Beldara.
Trainer Tom Hughes Jnr said Miss Octopussy had been given an easy time since the Sportingbet and was concerned about her winning chances with so much weight on her back.
“I didn’t think it would be easy today with 57kg, anyhow she has done a good job and got there,” Hughes said.
“After her run in Adelaide she couldn’t blow a candle out but she knew she’d had a run so I haven’t done much with her in the last month.
“I swam her for 10 days and she had her only gallop last Tuesday morning.”
Hughes noted after Saturday’s win that Miss Octopussy had “blown up” over her back suggesting she would improve for The Goodwood at Morphettville on May 8.
“It is going to be a hard race but she has got to go to The Goodwood,” Hughes said.
“The other day (in the Sportingbet) she carried 56.5kg and she drops down to 52kg (in The Goodwood).”
He said that Miss Octopussy would meet Response 4.5kg better, raising hopes that she could turn the tables on that mare.
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