Trainer Darren Weir will consider returning Tahanee to Flemington for a stakes race after her success on Melbourne Cup day.
Nominated for the Group Two Matriarch Stakes (2000m) on Saturday, Weir said the mare only needs to please in the coming days to take her place after winning the TAB.com.au Trophy (1700m) on Tuesday.
Ridden by Craig Williams, Tahanee ($7) scored by 1-1/2 lengths from the $2.20 favourite Invincibella with Stormsabrewing ($16) two lengths away third.
Bred in Argentina, Tahanee began her career in that country before racing in Dubai during the carnival earlier this year after which she was sent to Australia.
Weir explained the mare started out on the beach at Warrnambool, moved to his Ballarat base before transferring to his farm at Baringhup, outside of Bendigo.
He said the casual farm life suited the mare while some tough recent racing has brought her to peak fitness.
“It’s nice to get a win over the carnival with her and it’s now important to chase a bit of black type,” Weir said.
“She’ll go back to the farm tomorrow and I know it sounds a bit silly but she’ll be led off the motorbike and have a swim and she’ll be right to back up on Saturday.”
Weir doesn’t expect the rise to 2000m to be a problem if she runs on Saturday.
“She’s got the perfect racing style racing on the speed and I think she’ll take a bit of running down,” he said.
