With the programming pressure of two- and three-year-old stakes racing behind for Lady Jivago, trainer Jeff Englebrecht is looking forward to taking a more laid-back approach to the mare’s career.
Englebrecht said targeting richer races while she was a filly forced her to race on quick back-ups.
“This time we can take our time, there’s no rush,” Englebrecht said.
She will be aiming to extend her strong second-up record on Saturday when she tackles a benchmark handicap over 1100m at Rosehill.
There is little expectation surrounding her campaign, despite the now four-year-old reaching her career high in April’s Group Three PJ Bell Stakes at Randwick.
She was fourth, less than two lengths behind Tempt Me Not and Pearls, who have both contested Group Ones since without being disgraced, and Egyptian Symbol who won the Group Three Nivison Stakes on October 15.
Englebrecht tried Lady Jivago over 1400m in the Group Three Hawkesbury Guineas in which she was ninth, but she will be kept to sprinting trips this preparation.
“We’ll keep her on the fresh side, keep her to the shorter races and see how she likes it,” Englebrecht said.
“If she deserves something special later, that’s great.”
While Jady Jivago failed to beat a runner home first-up at Canterbury on October 21, Englebrecht was happy with her return carrying 61kg.
“She only got beaten two lengths,” he said.
“If she ran second beaten two lengths everyone would be jumping up and down.
“And she’s working the place down.”
Lady Jivago drops to 58.5kg on Saturday for her second start after a two-month spell, her longest break since her two-year-old season.
“I think there’s a few more wins in her. We’ve just got to place her right,” Englebrecht said.
A favourable barrier will be key to her chances on Saturday, with Englebrecht hoping she can settle behind the speed from an inside draw.
