The decision to aim class mare Missy Longstocking at the Melbourne autumn carnival is a boost to rival mare Pickabee’s chances of returning to the winner’s circle.
Pickabee was an acceptor in last week’s Listed Nudgee Quality (1200m) but one of trainer Caitlin Lavin’s main concerns was then top weight Missy Longstocking.
The Nudgee Quality has been rescheduled for this Saturday after last week’s entire Doomben meeting was washed out.
However, trainer Liam Birchley has elected not to renominate Missy Longstocking for the Nudgee and instead will take her to Melbourne.
Birchley said the mare, who has won in Melbourne, would be initially aimed at the Group Two Rubiton Stakes (1100m) on Saturday week.
“I didn’t want to run Missy Longstocking second up on a possible wet track with 59kgs. I have given her a little freshen up and we will tackle the Rubiton at this stage.”
“Depending on how she goes we will probably then push on into the Melbourne autumn carnival,” he said.
Lavin is hoping Pickabee can bounce back from a tough run three weeks ago when the mare had no luck when seventh in the Magic Millions Sprint behind Straturbo.
“I felt a bit like a bad mum after that run. It really was throwing her in the deep end to tackle 1100m first up.”
“We had a three hour trip to get to the Gold Coast and it knocked her around. She lost about 17kgs on the day,” Lavin said.
Pickabee spent several days in a paddock at Lavin’s stables on the Sunshine Coast and picked up quickly.
“She is back to her brightest and put most of the weight back on.”
“Obviously we would like a black type win for her and this looks a nice race,” Lavin said.
Pickabee should not be worried by a likely soft track on Saturday as she has won twice in the going.
