Chris Munce believes a perfect draw enhances the prospects of Magic Millions contender Rhapsody Rose in the Calaway Gal Stakes at Eagle Farm.
Rhapsody Rose has drawn barrier two with Ben Thompson aboard from the tricky 1000 metre starting point.
“It’s a tough race but she’s drawn well, which I think at Eagle Farm is always a positive, particularly from the 1000 metre start,” Munce said.
“You really need to draw inside five or six to be a genuine winning chance and the fact she’s drawn two gives her that opportunity.”
Munce gave Rhapsody Rose a short break from training following her victory at Doomben on November 14 when she defeated Conexy, who franked the form by winning at her next start.
“She enjoys having a freshen up after a run because she puts so much into it,” he said.
“You can see in her demeanour and manners around the stable that she’s just starting to settle into the groove and realise what her job at hand is.”
Munce will leave riding tactics to Thompson but expects Rhapsody Rose to race handy to the speed from where she is drawn.
“Our main goal on Saturday is to see her doing everything right and travelling nicely,” he said.
“Whether that be in front or behind, I’ll leave that up to Ben.
“I want to see this filly stretching out, doing everything right, bearing in mind the big picture is still a few weeks away.”
Munce is toying with the idea of not starting Rhapsody Rose again before the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 16.
“If she happens to win or place she’s assured of a start so whether she does have another run I don’t know,” he said.
“I might even leave her the four weeks in between and just trial her and get her to the race that way. It really depends on how she comes through tomorrow’s event.”
Rhapsody Rose shares the third line of betting at $6 with TAB fixed odds for Saturday’s Calaway Gal with Fake Love a $3.30 favourite.
