Lightly raced mare Vain Queen heads to Adelaide in an attempt to improve on her Group One second in the William Reid Stakes.
Runner-up to Lucky Hussler at Moonee Valley at her most recent start, Vain Queen runs against her own sex in Saturday’s Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m).
Before her 1-3/4 length second in the William Reid, Vain Queen finished fourth behind Royal Ascot-bound Shamal Wind in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m), her first appearance in a Group One race.
Trainer John Sadler is considering varying her preparation with a jump-out at Caulfield on Tuesday.
“It’s not something that I would normally do so close to a big race,” Sadler said.
“The jump-outs last week at Caulfield were on the inside grass and I didn’t want to trial her on that track.
“I’ll make up my mind on Monday whether I give her a jump-out or whether she’ll have a nice gallop instead.”
Nick Hall, who rode the mare at Moonee Valley, retains the Sangster mount.
Vain Queen has won seven of her 14 starts with four of her victories coming on the straight course at Flemington including her best so far in the Group Three G H Mumm Stakes during Melbourne Cup week.
If she performs well in the Sangster she could then head to the Goodwood, Adelaide’s other Group One sprint.
Sadler has started the Adelaide carnival in style with Japhils winning Saturday’s Listed Nitschke Stakes (1400m).
Japhils earned her trip to Adelaide with her second to Group Two placed Samartested in a 1400m fillies race at Caulfield on Easter Saturday.
The three-year-old may back up in the Group Three Queen Of The South (1600m) against older rivals on Saturday if she pleases her trainer during the week.
