Talented mare Ariarni is looking to finish her career on a high when she lines up at Flemington.
The five-year-old daughter of Hawk Wing is heading to the breeding barn when her lease expires at the end of the season and won’t run again after Saturday’s Wrap Around Hcp (1400m).
Trainer Tony Vasil said Ariarni had been one of the better mares he had trained, winning eight of her 33 starts and more than $280,000 in prize money.
“Hopefully she can go out on a high,” Vasil said.
“She’s been very handy and has won close to $300,000 which is something not many mares do.
“She will run well on Saturday but the more rain the better for her as she loves the wet.”
The only regret is that Ariarni was unable to get black type as either a stakeswinner or stakes placegetter.
She won three of her first five starts with the remainder of her wins on city tracks.
Ariarni is having her first run at Flemington and if successful will have won on all of Melbourne’s city tracks.
Heavyweight jockey Jamie Mott has been engaged to ride her and, carrying 57kg, she is at $15 with TAB Sportsbet after her last-start fourth to Mythical Spirit at Moonee Valley.
Only three starts ago she won from barrier 10 at Caulfield and has the same gate at Flemington.
The Jim Mason-trained Gossip Girl is $4.80 favourite to avenge her last-start defeat when beaten in the last stride by Court Ya at Sandown.
Volando ($6) and Winged Charmed ($6.50) are other leading chances.
AAP TURF
