In an ideal world, Grahame Begg would like to separate Vespertine and Rose Quartz from lining up against each other in a stakes race at Sandown.
The Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1300m) on Saturday will see the two mares line up against one another with Begg expecting both to be hard to beat.
He said the 1300m journey was ideal for both as Vespertine goes about chasing a second stakes win while Rose Quartz is after a first in a black type race.
“I hate running them against one another but unfortunately that’s the case on Saturday,” Begg said.
Rose Quartz has been placed in three of her last four starts, all at stakes level.
Two starts ago she finished third behind Jigsaw and Shamino, both of whom came out last weekend to win stakes races at Moonee Valley and Morphettville, while last time out she chased Snapper home in the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.
“She’s drawn well, she can be positive out of the gates, and we feel she will switch off well enough once she’s allowed to do that and she can run very well,” Begg said.
“She’s got good stakes class form around her, and she’s had a bit of a freshen up since her last run.
“She’s in good order after that last start and she’s back and bouncing around.”
Vespertine landed some ‘black type’ when successful in the Listed MSS Security Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
The mare was given a freshen up following that victory and returned in the Standish Handicap, running on late to finish sixth.
Begg said Vespertine had trained on well following that run and the 1300m looks an ideal trip.
“She was going very well leading into the race at Flemington, and she’s continued to train on well since,” Begg said.
“From barrier one the race did not pan out for her whatsoever at Flemington, but she’s fitter now and I think this is an ideal distance for her.”
