Tom Dabernig is looking to a Listed race at Sandown being the easier option for Fickle than a Stakes race at Moonee Valley.
Trainer Tom Dabernig thought he had made a mistake when the final fields came out for Sandown on Saturday.
Dabernig decided to accept with Fickle in the Listed W J Adams Stakes (1000m) instead of the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
With Craig Williams, who had ridden Fickle in her past three wins at Moonee Valley, riding in New Zealand on Saturday, Dabernig booked Jamie Kah for the ride.
“I must admit I was a bit surprised when I saw Jamie Melham when the fields came out, it confused me a little bit,” Dabernig said.
Kah married fellow jockey Ben Melham last weekend and Fickle will be her first ride since.
Formerly prepared in Sydney by Peter and Paul Snowden, Fickle joined Dabernig’s yard at the start of her current campaign, running second on her home track at Warrnambool before her breakthrough maiden win.
Another second placing followed before Fickle went on a winning streak, completing a hat-trick at Moonee Valley on December 28.
With the Australia Stakes at The Valley, Dabernig considered the option, but felt the Sandown contest suited better.
“We just thought Fickle at the 1000 metres with the month between runs was better for her,” Dabernig said.
“I know she’s a very good Moonee Valley horse but probably the 1000 and the time between runs is better, and it’s ended up being a seven-horse field.
“She’s gone from winning a maiden to Stakes grade all in one prep, which is never easy to do, but she’s kept on winning.
“It would be nice to get that ‘Black Type’ and then she could be put away and then we maybe look to Adelaide and something like the Proud Miss over in Adelaide with her.”
Dabernig does not see the four weeks between runs being too much of a worry, especially for a fast, on-speed sprinter.
“She’s never been to Sandown before and she’s won at Caulfield and The Valley, but it’s Lakeside which suits on pace,” Dabernig said.
“I think she’ll run well.”
