John Sadler is likely to chase some all-important Black Type for Merrigold at Caulfield.
Victorious in benchmark 84 company over 1400m at Caulfield last Saturday, Sadler is looking to the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Sadler said Merrigold is a mare that backs up well from her races and with Black Type on offer it was an opportunity that is likely to be taken up by connections.
Should Merrigold start on Saturday, it will be the mare’s second only start in a Stakes race having finished last in the Group 3 How Now Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in November.
But Merrigold has been one of the most consistent mares racing since the start of the year with two wins and three minor placings from five starts since January.
“She backs up very, very well,” Sadler said.
“That win on Saturday was good and I haven’t got a problem backing her up.
“She comes through her races super and the whole idea this preparation has been, hopefully, being a mare, to get some Black Type.
“We’ve got a Listed race on Saturday and looking at the nominations, it’s not going to be an easy race, but I think she well and truly deserves her place in the field.
“Saturday is Black Type, so that will do me, but then perhaps we could go to Adelaide, but I don’t want to get too greedy, as I still think she’s climbing the ladder.”
Sadler said backing a horse up from Saturday to Saturday is entirely dependent on the horse and how well they do post-race back at the stable.
He said Merrigold fitted the bill ideally.
“She just flies through her races,” Sadler said.
“On Monday morning she was five kilos heavier than she was on Saturday morning, which is quite incredible.
“She’s a very professional racehorse, one everyone would like.”
A total of 30 horses have been nominated for Saturday’s Anniversary Vase including Melbourne Cup placegetter Middle Earth.
Merrigold has been allocated 54kg when weights were released on Tuesday.
