Legless Veuve is set to run in the Heath Stakes at Caulfield
Caulfield trainer Stuart Webb has an affinity with fillies.
His three Group One wins came with Yosei while his most recent city successes have come with filly Crown Witness.
Two classy mares from the Webb stable are set to resume at Caulfield on Saturday.
Stayer Ana Royale returns in the Cockram Stakes while Legless Veuve is down to run in The Heath Stakes.
As spring approaches thoughts turn towards the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and Ana Royale is among nominations for both.
Ana Royale hasn’t raced since finishing third to Ruthven in the Queensland Derby in June while earlier in the campaign she finished third to Egg Tart and Kenedna in the Australasian Oaks at Morphettville.
Webb believes that form to be strong but said Ana Royale will need to make improvement to be competitive in the Cups.
“History will tell you that 90 per cent of the time we’ll be deviating left or right to a Geelong Cup or a Bendigo Cup, or something,” Webb said.
Ana Royale had a two-week break in Queensland after the Derby before a further three weeks spelling in Victoria.
“She got away a little bit and came back a little bigger than I thought she would,” Webb said.
“She’s a bit bigger and stronger now and has still got some residual fitness but she needs to get racing.”
Webb is in two minds whether to run Legless Veuve on Saturday or wait until next week for a barrier trial.
He’s wary of the mare being so good fresh that it can have an effect on her performances later in a campaign
“In previous preps I’ve said you’re not ready but have thrown her in a race and she’s gone out and won it,” Webb said.
“She’s going well but whether I’m here on Saturday or running in a fortnight, I’m not sure.”
