The Grahame Begg-trained Cardinal Gem will back up into the Silver Bowl Series Final at Flemington after breaking a run of outs at Caulfield.
However, a new jockey will be required with Michael Dee heading back to New Zealand for a break after guiding Cardinal Gem home in the Stephen Howell Memorial Trophy (1400m) on Saturday.
Billy Egan is expected to take over from Dee who replaced Jordan Childs following Cardinal Gem’s unlucky last start fourth at Flemington.
Forced to cover ground throughout, Cardinal Gem, the $3.30 favourite, scored by a length from Place Of Gold ($11) with Daytona Bay ($13) a half-neck away third.
Cardinal Gem had scored only once prior to Saturday, in a Ballarat Synthetic track maiden.
“The horse has always shown us good ability,” Begg said.
“His racing pattern early doors was against him quite often, he just fell out of the gates, got out of his ground and was relying on speed of the race.
“And he’s had a couple of rides the last two times where he could’ve got a bit more luck, but luck was out of the equation today, three wide, clean air when he wanted to come into the race, and he got the job done.
“The horse will go onto the Silver Bowl Final next week at Flemington, and I’m sure he’ll be even better suited at Flemington.”
Begg is confident Cardinal Gem will be able to handle the quick back-up into next Saturday’s Silver Bowl.
He said the four weeks between his previous run at Flemington and the Silver Bowl was too long and that is the reason he lined-up on Saturday.
“He’ll take great confidence from that because he’s been a bit maligned for having no luck,” Begg said.
“He’s a good talent and I’m sure a win today will get his confidence levels up and he’ll go on with it.”
