A start in the Kosciuszko is back-of-mind for Hellenism’s trainer Aiden St Vincent, who has two other races on his short-term wish list, starting with the Highway Handicap at Rosehill.
The mare is an early favourite for Saturday’s 1100m event and St Vincent is keen to see her put another victory in the bag before he starts dreaming of bigger goals.
“She’s got one more win in her before she’s ineligible for Highways, that’s a bit of a benchmark for country trainers,” St Vincent said.
“That’s the first target, to win another Highway with her and if that leads towards going to the Kosciuszko, we’ll be heading down that path as well.”
If Hellenism can claim that victory on Saturday, it will also open the door to a possible start in another feature race.
St Vincent’s father Paul won consecutive Ramornie Handicaps with The Jackal in 2007 and 2008 and St Vincent revealed he would love to have a runner in next week’s showcase country sprint.
“I did mention to the owners during the week that if this mare comes out and wins on Saturday and her rating is bumped up, it won’t be the silliest idea to accept in the Ramornie and see if she gets a run,” St Vincent said.
“Being a black-type race, it’s very lucrative for breeding purposes and it’s only up the road. If she wins on Saturday, I think we won’t rule out a start in the Ramornie.
“It would be really good to get her over there and have another memory from Grafton.”
Hellenism scored her first Highway victory in January and will tackle Saturday’s renewal at her third campaign run after resuming with a second to subsequent Rosehill winner Mirra Vision before adopting an uncustomary leadership role when midfield on a heavy track at Warwick Farm last start.
Given she was ridden upside down, St Vincent said it was difficult to assess whether she handled the conditions, but he was hopeful Rosehill’s heavy 9 rating would improve by race day.
Tim Clark has the ride on Hellenism, who has drawn the inside gate.
