Lindsay Park co-trainer Tom Dabernig has noticed a change in Spanish Whisper and hopes it is a good sign going ahead.
Now in her third preparation for Lindsay Park, Spanish Whisper showed a sign of maturity before her most recent start Caulfield that was missing from her previous campaigns.
With a delay to the start of the Cockram Stakes on August 31 after a rival runner needed re-plating, Spanish Whisper remained calm before finishing second to Pippie.
“Last prep we were always trying to manage her a bit,” Dabernig said.
“She’d get herself worked up at the races, but I was pleased first-up how good and sensible she was.
“She had to wait behind the gates for five or six minutes and she handled it really well.
“I thought if she was going to get worked up, it would be after that, so maybe this prep there’s a bit more maturity which might stand her in good stead.”
Dabernig said Spanish Whisper had progressed well from that first-up performance and he was looking forward to seeing her line up again in Saturday’s Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.
Spanish Whisper was successful second-up last campaign over Saturday’s course and distance, claiming the Kewney Stakes.
“The key to her is not trying to restrain her and let her flow into a nice rhythm,” Dabernig said.
“She seems to have improved off that first up run and looks fantastic.”
Lindsay Park will also have Fundamentalist running in Saturday’s race for mares.
A last-start ninth behind Scales Of Justice in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 31, Fundamentalist was also an acceptor for the Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill.
“Her run in the Memsie was a little disappointing second-up and I think back in mares grade she’ll improve,” Dabernig said.
“We’ve had her back at the farm in between runs for a change of scenery and on her best form she’d be one of the top picks.”
