Grahame Begg will gift Tom Prebble a prime early-season opportunity this Saturday with the top apprentice rider to partner Splash Back in the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington.
The Cranbourne trainer identified the 1200-metre handicap as the most suitable next start for the explosive mare after her jaw-dropping win over 1420m at Flemington on June 21, when Prebble was aboard.
He also rode the Sandy McGregor-owned mare to victory at Caulfield three weeks earlier and Begg understands the significance of sticking with Prebble, but said the 23-year-old had earned the opportunity.
“I had a discussion with Sandy and, the fact is, he’s won her last two on her and he can ride 54 kilos,” Begg said.
“It’s pretty hard taking them off when they’ve won their last two and he’s been coming and doing a lot of work on her, riding her gallops and he jumped her out last week.
“It’s a feather in his cap.”
Prebble notched his maiden Black Type victory aboard $61 chance Title Fighter in the Listed Straight Six at Flemington in May while his only Group 3 experience was aboard longshot Bine in this year’s Mystic Journey Stakes at Hobart, in which he finished 11th.
Splash Black is favourite in all-in betting on the $200,000 Aurie’s Star Handicap, which attracted 13 entries.
Straight-track specialists Joyful Fortune, Marble Nine and Bossy Nic, Group 2 winner Lady In Pink, French sprinter Cote Atlantique and progressive Sydney speedster King Of Roseau are among Splash Back’s potential rivals.
Begg has been delighted with how Splash Back has done between runs and said the likelihood of a below capacity field played a factor in his identification of the Aurie’s Star as a suitable target for the French-bred five-year-old.
“I did a bit of history on the race and last year the Freedmans’ grey filly Right To Party won it in a small field (of eight),” he said.
“The fillies (females) get in on the limit weight and it just looked a beautiful race for her and her style of racing.
“She obviously won around the circle at Flemington but you would think they’re not going to go too quick, she’ll probably just be sitting off them and be able to let down.”
