Trainer Todd Balfour has Mornington and Adelaide Cup aspirations for Sean Baile Mor and is looking for an encouraging run from the mare at Flemington on Saturday.
The Cape Cross four-year-old ran on strongly to finish third to Domesky in the Listed Ballarat Cup (2200m) on November 20 and has had an eight-week freshen up going into the Jezabeel Hcp (2000m), a 0-89 fillies and mares event.
“She’s probably the best horse in the field. The only query is she might be a little bit fresh,” Balfour said of Sean Baile Mor whose has won four of 14 starts including a rating 0-94 event three starts back at Morphettville on October 22.
“She had a jumpout on Monday over 1500m and blew a bit afterwards but hopefully on class she can go close.
“If she settles, that’s the main thing. She’s tended to settle now that she’s got a little bit older she’s racing a lot better and not highballing and wanting to take other horses on.”
Apprentice Jake Noonan will ride Sean Baile Mor who Balfour is hoping will come from last.
“Especially at Flemington, it is such a lovely long run in and hopefully she’ll settle out the back, just go to sleep and then run on,” Balfour said.
“Jake rides her really well, with a lovely long rein, nice and cold and patient.”
Noonan has ridden the mare three times including her Ballarat Cup placing.
Balfour said Sean Baile Mor would have another 2000m start after Saturday before going on to the Listed $300,000 Mornington Cup (2400m) on February 15.
“She deserves her chance in a race like the Mornington Cup over a bit of ground and, touch wood, something like the Adelaide Cup,” he said.
The Group Two Adelaide Cup (3200m) is run at Morphettville on March 12.
Sean Baile Mor is $9 third pick with TAB Sportsbet which has the Peter Moody-trained Power O’Raylee as $3.40 favourite ahead of Chaparral Lass ($4.60).
Power O’Raylee is after her fourth straight win after scoring at Mornington, Caulfield and Sandown.
Chaparral Lass, a former New Zealander, has been placed at Ballarat, Caulfield and Flemington in three starts for Geelong trainer Niall Phillips who has put blinkers on and taken winkers off for Saturday’s race.
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