Chris Calthorpe is not going to let the prospects of a firm Eagle Farm track dent his hopes of a second Group 1 victory with Media Award.
A last start winner of the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on May 1, Media Award runs in the Queensland Oaks (2200m) on Saturday.
Calthorpe was hoping to gallop Media Award on the course proper at Eagle Farm on Tuesday, but elected to work the filly on a slightly softer ‘A’ grass instead with race jockey John Allen aboard.
“It’s a Group 1, it is what it is,” Calthorpe told RSN.
“If it’s a Heavy10 she’ll be running, if it’s a Good3, she’ll be running. We’re not going to shirk the issue.
“She’s settled in well. She’s enjoying the warmer climate, a bit of sun on her back during the day.
“She did a nice piece of work yesterday with John Allen on. We’ve drawn a good gate and hopefully it’s all systems go and she can put her best foot forward on Saturday.”
Calthorpe, who also run Air Horse Transport, read the signs last week when he elected to fly the filly to Brisbane a week earlier than intended.
It also enabled Calthorpe to beat to border closure Queensland Health imposed on Victorian visitors.
Calthorpe said Media Award, who has gone from winning a maiden to being a Group 1 winner in the space of three starts, had maintained her weight despite the travel to and from Adelaide and then further north to Brisbane.
“She keeps herself happy,” Calthorpe said.
“She stands in the box and saves her energy for raceday.
“She’s in as good a shape as she was when she went to Adelaide and at the moment, we’re very happy with the horse we’re taking to the races on Saturday.”
