Group One winner Ofcourseican faces a stiff challenge in the All Aged Stakes but trainer Ron Quinton was never going to change his plans just because of Atlantic Jewel’s presence.
Ofcourseican will take aim in the Group One 1400m feature at Randwick on Saturday, the same race unbeaten filly Atlantic Jewel has been confirmed to run in.
“We were always going there. I’m not saying we’re not frightened of it (Atlantic Jewel) but we’re going there,” Quinton said.
“We’ve sort of planned all along to make this her last run of the campaign.
“Naturally it’s stiff opposition but I think she’ll run a nice race.”
Atlantic Jewel returned with a breathtaking win in the Group Two Sapphire Stakes (1200m) on April 14 after it was decided to begin her campaign against her own sex rather than running in the Group One TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) the same day.
Quinton, who won eight Sydney premierships as a jockey, has been very impressed by what he has seen from the Mark Kavanagh-trained Atlantic Jewel.
“She’s an outstanding filly,” Quinton said.
“She would have beaten those horses in the TJ Smith Stakes I reckon, for sure.”
TJ Smith Stakes winner Master Of Design is set to line up in the All Aged along with the runner-up from that race, Rain Affair.
Trainer Joe Pride has three horses nominated but said Rain Affair was likely to be the only acceptor.
“I’ve still got to speak to the owner of Neeson but there’s a good chance he’ll run in the Hall Mark Stakes,” Pride said.
“Miss Keepsake will go to the Emancipation Stakes because Atlantic Jewel is going to the All Aged. We’ll be accepting with Rain Affair.”
Pride is hoping for some rain to give Rain Affair his best chance and has said the gelding is not a certain starter if it’s a dry track.
Ofcourseican scored a valuable Group One victory in the Coolmore Classic two starts ago before finishing near the tail of the field in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
“She has always had the galloping ability, it was just a matter of getting things to go right for her,” Quinton said.
“She’s not an easy horse to ride and she never was.
“I guess if three or four months ago you said she would be a Group One winner then you would probably have been a bit hesitant to say it.
“But she’s done it now.”
In the Group Two Emancipation Stakes (1600m) Quinton will start Crafty Irna.
Quinton won six Group One races on Emancipation in the 1980s.
