A course proper gallop at Randwick will be a crucial test for Rising Romance ahead of her tilt at the ATC Oaks.
Trainer Donna Logan was pleased with the way the filly finished her race off when fourth in the Vinery Stud Stakes but not convinced she handled her first experience of a heavy track at Rosehill.
The race was won by Lucia Valentina who finished second to Rising Romance in a Group Two race in New Zealand on slow ground on New Year’s day.
Randwick on Saturday is likely to be even heavier than Rosehill and Logan will be guided by race jockey James McDonald’s assessment after Tuesday’s work-out.
One thing the Kiwi trainer does know is that Rising Romance has thrived in Sydney and the 2400 metres of Saturday’s Classic will be to her liking.
“She has come out of the Vinery in amazing shape,” Logan said.
“I can’t believe how well she has done. She is very bright and is eating up.
“I just wish it would stop raining.
“The gallop on Tuesday will tell us how she will cope with the track.”
Missvonn showed she could cope with the track when she finished second to Arabian Gold in Saturday’s Adrian Knox Stakes.
That performance has earned her a place in the Oaks along with her high-profile Guy Walter-trained stablemate Zanbagh.
“It will be hard for her to back up three weeks in a row but she has earned her place,” Walter said.
“She came through the race well. Zanbagh is also fit and well after the Vinery and has run very well on a very heavy track before.”
Walter said Zanbagh would wear standard racing shoes in the Oaks after racing in bar plates this preparation.
After a 1-1/2 length fifth behind Zanbagh in the Keith Nolan Classic on March 23, Missvonn finished just behind her stablemate when sixth in the Vinery on April 5 before her second on Saturday.
She has been promoted in TAB’s betting to $11 behind Lucia Valentina ($2.80), Rising Romance ($6) and Zanbagh $8).
Blake Shinn sticks with Zanbagh while Craig Newitt is aboard Missvonn.
