Trainer James Cummings and the Godolphin team will have a two-pronged attack on three-year-old filly’s race at Moonee Valley as they look to go back-to-back in the contest.
Photograph and Diamond Firetail head to the Vale Black Caviar Plate (1200m) on Saturday, looking to follow the victory of Inhibitions 12 months earlier.
Following her victory last year, Inhibitions went on to earn Black Type by running second in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m) and the Group 3 Champagne Stakes (1200m), both at The Valley, which may also be viable options for Cummings’ two runners after Saturday.
Photograph will be racing for a winning hat-trick having scored at Scone and Sandown last month, the most recent victory being over Diamond Firetail.
Cummings said Photograph had been a work in progress and that the stable would like to think the filly can make it to Stakes level.
“She’s a nice filly, and she did a really good job at Scone,” Cummings said.
“She was wide and still pulled clear, but she was even better again at Sandown second-up.
“She’s really hit the ground running this preparation and I think, given where some of the better fillies’ races are positioned in the carnival, we’ve got a bit of chance to give her a couple of runs before a possible freshen-up.
“We’d like to think she’s got the ability to get to Stakes level, but she’s got to keep improving.
“She’s been a bit of a work in progress, but we are really delighted with what we’ve seen this prep.”
Diamond Firetail won a maiden at Wyong in June before running second to Tarpaulin at Warwick Farm ahead of making her way down to Melbourne to finish second at Sandown behind her stablemate.
At her most recent outing, Diamond Firetail finished fifth over 1000m at The Valley on August 10.
“She warmed up late in the same race as Last Druid a couple of weeks ago,” Cummings said.
“Further will be better for her and I think she is going to be a better filly next preparation.
“She’s done a good job so far and if she could go out on a good note here it would bode well for her next prep.”
