A gamble to extend Absolutely’s campaign to Queensland in the hope of rain could pay off for Melbourne trainer Mick Kent.
Kent is looking for a rain-affected track with Absolutely who will make her Brisbane winter carnival debut in the Group Three Premier’s Cup (2200m) at Doomben on Saturday.
A rain band is expected to move in over south-east Queensland before the weekend with forecasts of up to 25mm of rain to fall on Friday before it clears on Saturday.
Absolutely is being aimed at next month’s Group Two Brisbane Cup (2400) at Eagle Farm but hasn’t started since finishing ninth to More Joyous in the Group One Doncaster Mile at Randwick last month.
Absolutely was scratched from last Saturday’s Group One Doomben Cup but was given a solid hitout ahead of the Premier’s Cup when she downed local mare Bianca Jewel in a 1020-metre barrier trial at Doomben on Tuesday.
The daughter of Redoute’s Choice clocked 1min01.39secs with her last 600 metres in 34.65secs.
“We thought we’d follow the rain so we sent her up there after the Doncaster,” Kent said.
“She hasn’t raced for a month and whatever she does on Saturday she’s going to take a lot of improvement.”
Kent is not concerned Absolutely will have had only one lead-up run in the north ahead of her Brisbane Cup assignment.
“It won’t worry her,” said Kent, who had to delay his return to Melbourne.
“I was happy with her trial and I had planned to go home after it.
“But all the flights were booked out because of the State Of Origin tomorrow night.”
Kent believes the Premier’s Cup will serve as a better guide to Absolutely’s Brisbane Cup aspirations than the Doomben Cup.
“She had a bad alley in the Doomben Cup and this looks a more suitable race for her,” he said.
“There’s no doubt any rain will really help her.
“She doesn’t need a heavy track, only one with some give in it.”
Absolutely was ridden in her barrier trial victory by Brad Rawiller who will have the mount in the Premier’s Cup.
“Brad came up to ride her in the Doomben Cup but when she didn’t run he stayed on to ride her in the trial,” Kent said.
Absolutely’s only win in her 14-start career was on a heavy track in last year’s Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick.
Kent is hopeful Absolutely can develop into a spring contender once she completes her winter campaign.
