Trainer Grahame Begg does not want to see a repeat of the atrocious weather conditions that fell on Flemington just over a week ago.
While successful with Cilacap late in the program, Begg had Royal Insignia flop on the wet track in the Group 3 C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) on February 15.
Royal Insignia returns to Flemington on Saturday to contest the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) while Cilacap will remain in her box and held back for the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1600m) the following week.
“Royal Insignia is going to the Australian Guineas, Cilacap is definitely not,” Begg said.
“A few had been saying she was going to the Guineas, but she’s definitely not, and she’ll be going to the Kewney to run against the fillies at set-weights.
“I’m looking for a better track for Royal Insignia as he’s hopeless on wet ground.”
Begg said Royal Insignia was a beaten horse 400m into the 1400m contest of the C S Hayes.
He said Royal Insignia was a far better galloper on top of the ground.
“We took him to Pakenham on a heavy track and he was hopeless there, his wheels just spin,” Begg said.
“Craig (Williams) said he was gone at the 1000 (metres) the other day, and to his credit he ran seventh.
“He said under the circumstances it was a great run.”
Begg said Royal Insignia had taken no ill-effects from the Flemington effort and his work since the run had been strong.
“It’s a winnable race on Saturday and he’ll be in it up to his ears,” Begg said.
“We were so happy with him going into that race, but it was a deteriorating track. It was a (Slow) seven at the time, but everyone said it was an eight.
“He hasn’t lost anything, so hopefully we can bounce back, and I think he’s a Group 1 horse, if not now, but certainly next time in.”
Royal Insignia is an $11 chance in betting on the Australia Guineas with Angel Capital the $3.50 market elect from Sepals at $5.50 with online betting sites.
