A long neck has been the difference between maiden filly Presently spending time in the paddock and racing at Flemington.
Presently runs for the fourth time in Saturday’s Byerley Handicap, a race that affords the winner ballot exemption in the Victoria Derby and/or VRC Oaks.
Saturday’s 1800m race was not on trainer Ken Keys’ radar, but after her last start defeat at Sandown on July 10 he decided on another outing.
Keys was disappointed the filly was beaten a long neck after being reluctant to gallop early in the race.
The trainer reasoned 10 days between runs would not affect her spring campaign while Saturday’s race comes with the added bonus to give her a chance over ground.
Presently has shown Keys she is a filly wanting a trip and after Saturday will head for a break.
It will not be a full-blown spell, rather she will spend time in the paddock during the day before being boxed at night.
Keys said Presently’s spring campaign would be worked around the Group One VRC Oaks on November 7.
“I think we’ll work back from the Oaks to find a starting point,” he said.
“I don’t know if she’ll have the turn of foot for a race like the Thousand Guineas, but I guess we’ll throw an entry in and see what happens.
“If I had won last week I would have pulled the pin, just to give her more time, but going one more time is fine.
“She gives every indication that she will stick, so it would be silly not to go again.”
Keys also has consistent galloper Snipfit running in the K A Morrison Handicap and Wenner in the VRC Recognition Handicap.
He says Snipfit is looking for 2000m but is up in class while Wenner has been disappointing which Keys believes has to do with recent wet track conditions.
“They’re in that horrible ratings range between 70 and 78 and they can be so hard to place,” Keys said.
“But they’ve earned it, so that’s why they’re there.”
