Trainer Scott Asprey is content to take the lesser of two black-type options when promising filly Just A Girl races in the PJ Bell Stakes at Canterbury on Wednesday.
After three wins from as many starts this time in, Just A Girl will be one of the main chances in the Listed race after Asprey ruled out a start in Sunday’s Gosford Guineas because of the extra depth of the field.
“The PJ Bell is still a bit of a step up on what she’s been racing but I think she deserves her chance against that calibre of field,” Asprey said.
“I also nominated her for the Gosford Guineas but looking at the noms it is a bit stronger than Wednesday’s race.”
The Guineas provides a $250,000 purse against the $100,000 on offer for the PJ Bell but Asprey has been swayed by the inside barrier and his confidence in Just A Girl to hold her winning form in rain-affected going.
This year’s Golden Slipper-winning jockey Tommy Berry takes over from Jim Cassidy who will ride the Chris Waller-trained favourite Catkins ($2.80).
“We’ll use the barrier to ride her in a positive way,” Asprey said.
Canterbury was almost heavy following a Tuesday morning track inspection but Asprey thinks the filly’s tiny stature will help in the going.
“She hasn’t raced on a wet track before but she shouldn’t be affected by it,” he said.
“Her breeding suggests she should handle it and because she is a small filly I think that will help her get through the going.”
Catkins finished down the course behind her in-form stablemate Arinosa at her most recent start but she returns to racing against her own age as one of only two heavy track winners in the race.
That victory came at her first run after a spell with a 1100m Listed win at Rosehill in early March.
