Trainer David Harrison is confident he has WA Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) winner Searchin’ Roc’s primed to make a successful return to racing in Good Friday’s Marjorie Charleson Classic (1200m) at Ascot.
The three-year-old went to the line alongside Liwa in a 950m trial at Lark Hill earlier this month, her first public hit out since December’s Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m).
Harrison said he was happy with the condition he had the Group 3 winner in ahead of Friday’s $100,000 feature.
“She trialled super,” he told TABradio.
“She hit the line really nicely and I’m really happy with the way she’s going.
“She’s put on a fair bit of weight and strengthened up really nicely.”
Searchin’ Roc’s has drawn barrier six of nine for her return to racing, with Joseph Azzopardi to team up with her for the first time.
Harrison said Searchin’ Roc’s would be suited by a genuinely run race.
“There’s not a huge amount of pace in the race,” he said.
“This’ll Testya looks like she might get her own way in front.
“Pat’s Got Sass will probably be up there with her.
“She’s well enough to be right in the finish for sure.”
The Awesome Rock filly is set to embark on a Belmont winter campaign after the Marjorie Charleson Classic, which will likely include the Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m) in June.
Harrison will also start another talented filly Pat’s Got Sass in the feature, who was luckless on her return to racing earlier this month.
Clint Johnston-Porter teams up with Pat’s Got Sass, who drops 5.5kg on her most recent run, but Harrison said she was probably the third of his chances.
“It was a bit of a gut-buster first-up with a big weight,” he said.
“She should sit outside the leader and keep the pace genuine.”
Despite being rated a $31 chance, Harrison said he gave Cryptic Love a strong chance off the back of a strong showing at her most recent run behind Buzzoom last month.
“If she gets the run a bit earlier, she probably goes close to winning (last start),” he said.
“I expect her to be finishing off good if they do run a bit faster than I expect them to run along.”
Friday’s meeting gets underway at 1.08pm, with the Marjorie Charleson Classic to jump at 5.05pm.
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