Mick Price has grander plans than a midweek race for Badawiya, a promising filly which will be given her chance to overcome a wide draw at Pakenham on Wednesday.
Price scratched the daughter of Al Maher from Caulfield on Saturday after she drew the widest barrier in a field of 14.
Badawiya has drawn 10 in a field of 10 in the Australian Seed & Turf Handicap at Pakenham and her opposition will be easier.
“She drew 14 out of 14 in a tough race at Caulfield and I couldn’t see how she could beat them from that draw,” Price said.
“She’s drawn poorly again but I want to run her because she needs to run somewhere soon and Pakenham is a nice big track with a good run in.
“I think that this year the fillies Prelude on Saturday, which is the only other option for her, would be too strong.”
After placings at her first two starts, Badawiya won a Murtoa maiden before running seventh in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 5 behind Stay With Me.
Price said a Pakenham win would give the filly a metropolitan-class success before he concentrates on black-type race to enhance her value as a broodmare.
He has picked out the Group Two Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington on October 4 as a likely target.
And if she happened to perform well at Flemington he would consider backing her up into the Group One Thousand Guineas at Caulfield six days later.
“She’s a lightly framed filly that doesn’t like a lot of work,” Price said.
“She’s sound and her run at Moonee Valley was good so it’s worth giving thought to.”
Price’s apprentice Michael Dee takes the ride with his 2kg claim bringing her weight down to 55.5kg, 5.5kg less than the top-weighted horse Patch Adams.
