In form trainer Nick Ryan has long term plans with unbeaten filly Belle Savoir which takes in a trip to Queensland during the winter.
Belle Savoir will have the second run of her preparation at Caulfield on Saturday when she lines up in the IAM Handicap (1400m) after the filly returned to win from a long lay-off at Sandown last month to score a solid victory over 1300m.
The Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on June 4 is the longterm aim for Belle Savoir with Ryan hoping the filly can go one better than her dam Rathsallagh who finished second in the 2010 edition behind Riva San.
Ryan said Belle Savior had progressed well from her first-up win after being away from racing for more than 12 months with a fetlock issue.
“Second-up, 1400 metres on Saturday, should suit,” Ryan said.
“She was so good off a long break at Sandown, and I haven’t had to do a lot with her.
“She had her final gallop on Saturday morning, and she came through that really well.”
Potential plans of heading to the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on April 30 have been shelved, with Belle Savoir likely to head to the VOBIS race day at Caulfield on April 23.
Ryan said the Adelaide race came up too soon in Belle Savoir’s preparation adding there was a suitable option at Caulfield a week earlier.
“She is VOBIS Gold qualified and there is a race on that day that is likely to be her next run, but the end game is the Queensland Oaks,” Ryan said.
“The Adelaide carnival comes up a bit quick for her, but we’ll get through Saturday first and then look at our options and finalise a way to get her north.”
