Grahame Begg wouldn’t be surprised to see something take a chance and apply the pressure to glamour mare More Joyous in Saturday’s Group One Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
Begg will start Palacio De Cristal against the four-time Group One winner in the 1500m fillies and mares weight-for-age contest at Rosehill, but she doesn’t have the tactical speed to be on the pace.
Rather, it’s dual Group One winner Melito, trained by Gerald Ryan, who Begg can see possibly trying to throw down the gauntlet to the Gai Waterhouse-trained star in the small seven-horse field.
More Joyous is aiming for her 10th straight Sydney win, stretching back to September 2009, and is the $1.22 favourite with TAB Sportsbet.
More Joyous dictated in front and turned the Group Two Canterbury Stakes (1300m) into a procession at Rosehill two weeks ago.
“I don’t think Melito is just going to sit back and let More Joyous just have it all her own way,” Begg said.
“I honestly don’t think Hughie (Bowman) is just going to sit back, I wouldn’t be surprised if some pressure came from there and Melito is rock-hard fit.”
If that scenario eventuates, Begg is hoping Palacio De Cristal can be the horse to be hitting the line hard from back in the field as she chases a first Group One success.
A Group One placegetter at the track and distance, Begg described Palacio De Cristal as a magnet for wet tracks and hopes the surface can dry out before Saturday to give her a chance at an upset.
“We’re looking for a dry track,” Begg said.
“She has run well twice so far this time in but just found a deteriorating track at Rosehill two weeks ago in the Coolmore Classic (when seventh), which didn’t help her cause.
“She has trained on well since. I’m not saying she’ll beat More Joyous, but she won’t be disgracing herself.”
AAP TURF
