Model To Nite will get another chance at Flemington to convince trainer Nigel Blackiston she is up to stakes class and worthy of trip to Adelaide.
Blackiston scrapped plans to run the mare in last Saturday’s Group Two Queen of the South Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville after her last-start failure at Caulfield.
He has pencilled in the Listed Centaurea Stakes (2000m) at Morphettville on May 12 as a target providing she can bounce back to form in Saturday’s Green Fields Raceday Handicap (1700m).
“We thought about taking her over for the Queen Of The South but after her last run we didn’t think it was worth it,” Blackiston said.
After winning first-up in the Geelong St Patrick’s Gold Cup (1400m) and running into trouble when fourth Sheila’s Star at Caulfield on April 7, she only battled home to finish seventh of nine runners to Star Of Giselle over 1600 metres at Caulfield on April 21.
“She was a bit disappointing last time but it was a funny race as they went very, very slowly and nothing made ground,” Blackiston said.
“All the same she needs to improve and pull her socks up a bit.
“Her first two runs were very good so hopefully back at Flemington on a bigger track she can perform better.
“If she goes well there is a good chance we might back her up the following week in the stakes race in Adelaide.”
In-form apprentice Katelyn Mallyon, who reduced her allowance to 2kg with a double at Caulfield last Saturday, will have her first ride on Model To Nite at Flemington.
Meanwhile, trainer Mike Moroney is warming to the idea of running Warrnambool Cup favourite Maythehorsebemagic in Saturday’s Cleanevent Handicap (2800m) instead of Thursday’s 2350m feature.
Moroney was disappointed that the seven-year-old, who won by four lengths at Caulfield last start, had drawn the outside gate in the Warrnambool Cup.
Maythehorsebemagic heads the Cup market at $4.50 from local stayer Mr O’Ceirin who was an easy Flemington winner last start.
