Trainer Shawn Mathrick is looking forward to tackling another Stakes race with recent stable acquisition Corniche.
The former Godolphin galloper scored at Flemington at his third outing for Mathrick and will on Saturday contest the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington.
A pleasing effort could then see Mathrick Adelaide bound for the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 9.
Following Corniche’s win in the Listed Bob Hoysted Stakes (1000m) on March 28, Mathrick had floated the idea of contesting the Hareeba Stakes and then potentially head to the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) at Warrnambool on May 6.
But with The Goodwood just three days later, it makes for a tricky decision for Mathrick.
“I would prefer to go to The Goodwood,” Mathrick said.
“Warrnambool can so tricky. Some just hate it, and you never know until you go there, but I would like to win a Group 1, and he’s definitely got the quality to do that.
“Joliestar won the other day, and she only beat him a length-and-a-bit one day and his wet track form is terrific.”
Mathrick said he had worked tirelessly to get Corniche over the niggling problems the gelding had when he arrived at his stable.
Corniche only gallops when there has been some rain at the Cranbourne Training Centre and the gelding has spent countless hours at the beach.
“I had to get the pain out of his knees, and his feet and he had heart arrythmia but that has all settled down and he seems good,” Mathrick said.
“You never know when those things can flare up again, but he’s been super.
“He worked like Manikato on Tuesday. He’s a weapon.”
Meanwhile, stablemate Unflinching has headed north to Brisbane to run in the Listed Ascot Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Unflinching chased home Corniche at Flemington and Mathrick said the sprinter was a 1000m specialist.
“That’s his distance,” Mathrick said.
“His run the other day was good, but Corniche was just too good in the last bit.”
Mathrick said Unflinching was floated to Sydney overnight on Tuesday and spent the day at Rosehill before heading to Brisbane on Wednesday night.
“It’s worth $92,000 to the winner, so if he wins, I can afford to fly him home if I have to,” Mathrick said.
