A trip north to the Brisbane Winter Carnival hinges on the performance of Riddle Me That in the Anniversary Vase at Caulfield.
Mornington trainer Matt Laurie says the defeat of Riddle Me That at Caulfield at his last start remains a sore point that he hopes is rectified on Saturday.
Riddle Me That finished an unlucky fourth behind Mr Quickie in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) on April 3 and returns to Caulfield on Saturday for another 1400m contest, this time the Listed Anniversary Vase.
Laurie has ideas of heading to Queensland with Riddle Me That, but the gelding needs to be winning races to boost his chances of getting into a race like the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 12.
“He was spot on last time we’ve been trying to keep at that same level for Saturday,” Laurie said.
“We have aspirations of a trip north with him but he’s got to build up his points, they’re crucial really, and that’s why his last start hurt so much.
“The Stradbroke is the race I would love to give him a try at.”
Riddle Me That has won five of his 17 starts and is a dual winner at the 1400m journey.
He won the Listed Bendigo Guineas as a three-year-old while last spring was successful in the Listed Paris Lane Stakes at Flemington.
Laurie said Riddle Me That had gone to a new level since the spring, but needs to show that on his record in coming weeks.
“I’m very happy with where he is at and he worked particularly well on the weekend with a lighter gallop yesterday,” Laurie said.
“Everything he is doing shows me he seems to have improved off his last preparation but he’s got to show it in a race.
“He was held-up at a very a crucial stage last time and he should have won, I’m convinced of it.
“Anyway, we’ll try our luck again.”
