Win, lose or draw, talented mare Risk Aversion will head for the spelling paddock after her assignment at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Trainer Michael Lakey believes the four-year-old mare deserves a rest following the Avant Garde Recruitment Quality (1500m).
Lakey feels Risk Aversion, who has won four of her five starts, is starting to feel the effects of a tough campaign which has seen her win all three starts since she resumed in August.
The daughter of Encosta De Lago maintained her unblemished record this campaign with a narrow win over Win A Million in a 1350-metre fillies and mares Quality at Doomben on September 24.
“She’s done a good job but I can tell it’s had an effect on her, stepping up from a class four win to winning narrowly in a lot harder company at her next two starts,” Lakey said.
Lakey will also welcome Risk Aversion going for a break after declaring her a “heart attack” horse following her past three photo-finish victories.
“She’s been a bit of a heart attack horse winning those races in photo-finishes,” Lakey said.
Lakey was initially concerned with Risk Aversion’s recovery from her latest victory but will go into her spring swansong full of confidence.
“She was a bit jaded for a few days after her last win,” Lakey said.
“However, she bounced back well and I was really happy with her work on the course proper at Deagon yesterday (Tuesday) morning.
“This is definitely it for her this campaign. She’ll be going out for a break no matter what happens.”
However, Risk Aversion’s “break” won’t be for long as she is being aimed at the Listed Just Now Quality at Eagle Farm in December.
Risk Aversion’s owner John Hutchins wants to win a black-type race before she is eventually retired to stud.
Hutchins won the Group One Coolmore Classic at Rosehill with Typhoon Tracy in 2009 and wants to give Risk Aversion every opportunity to equal the feat.
Chris Munce has turned down offers to ride at Caulfield on Saturday to be reunited with Risk Aversion.
Munce, who is still keen to ride in Melbourne this spring, rode in Sydney when the mare won her past two starts for apprentice Tim Bell and Ric McMahon.
Munce was successful on Risk Aversion in her comeback in a Class Four at Doomben in August while Bell partnered her in a Benchmark 85 win at Eagle Farm on September 3 before McMahon’s victory on her three weeks later.
McMahon declared Risk Aversion an exciting proposition and believes she’ll be even better after she matures.
Lakey has managed Risk Aversion perfectly after her career was delayed because of early suspensory problems.
AAP TURF
