Exciting filly Member’s Joy has impressed trainer Robert Smerdon with her improved attitude ahead of her Blue Diamond Stakes campaign.
Smerdon said the daughter of Hussonet had “bounced back” into his stable after a brief let up and was ready to step up to better grade in Thursday’s Blue Diamond Preview for fillies (1000m) at Caulfield.
Member’s Joy, who won her debut at Sandown two months ago, is among 20 entries for the Listed event while there are 15 nominations for the colts and geldings division.
Smerdon said Member’s Joy was “a neat filly with great capacity”.
“She had one run last prep, then a brief let up and has bounced back really well,” Smerdon said.
Member’s Joy, who is owned by members of the Melbourne Racing Club, beat four runners when she easily won the Dash For Cash Plate (900m) by 2-1/2 lengths on debut at Sandown on November 26.
Third-placed Mrs Gray has since finished a luckless and close up fifth in the Gold Coast Magic Millions.
Smerdon said that after her Sandown win Member’s Joy had two weeks freshening up at Peter Morgan’s Whittlesea complex where she spent the time on the water-walker and most her days in the paddock.
“It wasn’t a lot of time out but it was a good break for her mentality and her attitude is much better,” Smerdon said.
He said was unsure if Member’s Joy would win her Australia Day assignment as she was not wound up with the Blue Diamond Stakes still a month away, but he expected her to be competitive.
“She’s certainly got some talent, to my mind, to be successful at black type level but how far that takes her through the Blue Diamond series remains to be seen,” said Smerdon who is mindful of the issues two-year-olds can have at this time of the season.
“Thursday will give us a good guide whether she is up to them.”
“She worked this morning (Monday) on the steeple grass over a half mile (800m) on her own and pinged home really well.”
Michael Rodd won on Member’s Joy but is required for the Mark Kavanagh-trained debutante Sweetener so Mark Zahra is the replacement rider.
AAP TURF
