Royal Ocean, a filly earmarked for loftier races, makes her return from a break at Sandown on Wednesday.
The lightly raced Royal Ocean resumes in the Schweppes Handicap (1300m) with trainer Mick Price warning the race might be too short for the three-year-old.
After six starts Royal Ocean has one win to her credit – the Listed Morphettville Guineas (1600m) in Adelaide last September.
The filly had one more start before a spell, running 10th to Fontein Ruby in the Group Two Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
Royal Ocean has been nominated for The Championships in Sydney against Group One company in the ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) and the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on April 11.
But Price believes the Adelaide carnival, which kicks into gear around the same time, may be a better option.
“Adelaide is where she is probably best suited,” Price said.
“I don’t think she is suited chasing the really good fillies in Group Ones but we’ll worry about that down the track.
“I just want to see her run well first-up.”
Price said Royal Ocean has had a good preparation leading up to her return but believes the daughter of Fastnet Rock will improve with the run.
He said she was a sound filly that was fresh and her normal “fizzy” self.
“Her trials have been fair but she doesn’t appeal as a sprinting 1300-metre filly first-up,” Price said.
“She has come back well enough and I’m happy enough with the prep that she has had.
“It’s a race for 1300-metre sprinting fillies and she wants a mile or even further.”
Apprentice Patrick Moloney takes a 2kg claim off the filly on Wednesday bringing her in with 57kg, 0.5kg above the minimum handicap weight.
