Trainer Grahame Begg is looking long-term with Profligate but is happy to have cleared one hurdle with the talented filly.
Begg was concerned Profligate would miss out on a start in the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
The race is an important stepping stone for the daughter of Xtravagant as she heads into the spring and the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 17.
Begg was concerned the filly would miss out on a start due to her rating of 65, but with 15 horses entered at nomination stage earlier in the week he could put his mind at rest and concentrate on a start.
Profligate showed promise as a two-year-old, winning over 1200m at Pakenham on April 2 before chasing home the highly regarded Blind Raise in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on April 25.
The filly returned from a break to finish fourth behind Pretty Baby at Sandown over 1300m on September 5.
Begg said Profigate had taken considerable improvement from that first-up outing.
“She was super first-up, and she will be better on top of the ground,” Begg said.
“And the 1400 metre trip is going to be good for her also.”
Begg is planning to take Profligate to Flemington for the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) on October 3, although he has the filly entered for the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on the same day, but with a leaning to the Flemington contest.
Both races serve as a lead-up to the Thousand Guineas two weeks later.
“I really wanted to go to this race, so to get in is great, and then there is two weeks into the Edward Manifold at Flemington,” Begg said.
“I think she will be the ideal Flemington horse and then there’s two weeks to the Thousand Guineas after that.”
