Sydney trainer Matthew Smith believes Group One-placed Faraway Town is peaking for her shot to become the first filly in more than a decade to win the Sandown Guineas.
Faraway Town is one of three fillies taking on the colts and geldings in Saturday’s Group Two 1600m race at Sandown, with Cayambe in 2005 the most recent female winner.
Although Faraway Town is coming off a ninth placing in her Melbourne debut at Flemington in a race won by Guineas rival Jennifer Lynn, Smith is happy with the way she found the line over the 1400m.
He expects her to be at her peak going to the Guineas at her third run this preparation.
“She got held up a bit at Flemington and the last 150 metres was the best part of her race,” Smith said.
“She’s trained on nicely and looks really well in herself. She’s really enjoyed being down at Flemington. Her work has been good and she’s fit and well.”
Faraway Town was third in the Group One Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) won by Yankee Rose while her only attempt at 1600m was a fourth in the Group One Champagne Stakes won by subsequent Victoria Derby winner Prized Icon.
“She didn’t have a lot of luck in that race,” Smith said.
“She was posted wide and I thought she did well to stick on and run fourth.
“I don’t think the mile will be an issue for her and Sandown should be fine. It’s a nice big track.”
Faraway Town’s only win came at Rosehill a year ago but the filly has been consistent at stakes level in Sydney.
“It would definitely be nice to see her go on and win one,” Smith said.
“She’s due to knock one over.
“We still don’t really know what her best distance is, and it would be nice to find out this preparation so we can map out her next preparation.”
With that in mind, Smith would like to try Faraway Town over 2000m back in Sydney after the Guineas before turning her out for a spell and planning her autumn.
Carbine Club Stakes runner-up Morton’s Fork is the $2.10 favourite ahead of Jennifer Lynn ($4) and Faraway Town ($7).
