Alaskan Rose’s trainer Mike Moroney has confidence in the unbeaten filly’s ability ahead of her showdown with fellow Thousand Guineas contenders in the Prelude at Caulfield.
Alaskan Rose has won her two starts and heads into Saturday’s Group Two Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) for fillies four weeks after her most recent win.
Stay With Me, Miss Gunpowder, Jameka and Pasadena Girl are expected to be among Alaskan Rose’s rivals in her first stakes test.
While Moroney admits there are different form lines to match up, he believes Alaskan Rose is up to the challenge.
“We think she’s very good,” Moroney said.
“She’s two out of two but she hasn’t raced at black-type level yet. This will be her first go at black type and that’s always harder but we feel pretty confident she’s up to it.
“But I suppose the opposition are feeling the same way.”
Atlantic Jewel Stakes winner Stay With Me is the $4.20 Thousand Guineas favourite ahead of Pasadena Girl ($6) while Don’t Doubt Mamma’s win at Caulfield on Saturday has her at $7 ahead of Alaskan Rose at $8.
Alaskan Rose won by 4-1/2 lengths on debut at Sandown before stepping out in a benchmark-78 for fillies at Caulfield on August 29, finishing over the top of Guilietta to win by 1-1-4 lengths.
Moroney decided the right spring path for Alaskan Rose in her first preparation was to have four weeks between her most recent start and the Prelude.
“Her main aim is the Group One so we just want to get her there at her best,” he said.
“She had a jump-out last Friday week and she went really well. (Jockey) Steve Arnold was very taken with her so if he’s happy, we’re happy.”
Moroney is also hoping to have two runners, Strike Force and Tulsa, in Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas Prelude for colts and geldings.
Strike Force scored a convincing 2-3/4 length maiden win at Geelong this month at his third start.
Tulsa flashed home for sixth after being blocked for a run in the Listed Pin & Win Stakes (1400m) last start won by Bon Aurum.
“Tulsa looks reasonably smart without any doubt but there wouldn’t be much between him and Strike Force,” Moroney said.
