Barbara Joseph has no regrets about missing the Villiers Stakes with Just A Blur, but wishes she had kept the mare at home that day.
The Canberra trainer decided last Saturday’s Group Two race would be a bit tough and ran her in a lesser 1600m race on the Randwick program.
Although the track was in the good range, jockeys steered clear of the fence for the most part but it was where Just A Blur ended up from barrier two.
Matthew Cahill was unable to get a clear run and she beat just two horses home.
Joseph, who trains in partnership with her son Paul Jones, admits she was down-hearted and is determined Just A Blur can bounce back a week later over 1500m.
“I hated taking her home after that run,” Joseph said.
“She is better than that. She was on the fence where she doesn’t like to be in the worst part of the track.
“The ground was shifty and she hates that.
“We did nominate for the Villiers but she would have been the first emergency so I was happy to go to the other race even though the horse she beat at Goulburn ran a great race.”
Just A Blur beat Moral Victory to win the Goulburn Cup in late November with the runner-up giving his backers a great sight when he led the Villiers field for much of the race, eventually running fourth.
Joseph also gets the chance for a reunion with her former apprentice Koby Jennings whose 3kg claim brings Just A Blur’s weight down to 58kg.
“Koby was my apprentice for two years when he came down from Darwin,” Joseph said.
“But when he couldn’t claim in the country everyone said it was time for him to go to the city.
“He’s a lovely kid and I’m hoping he can give me a Christmas present for old time’s sake.”
That present would be to bring Just A Blur to the outside and let her stride freely down the Rosehill straight.
“I hope the pace is on and she can do what she does best,” Joseph said.
“Then we can look at the Belle of the Turf at Gosford next month.
“That’s a Group Three and obviously we want to get her some black type.”
