Royal Applause has made a habit of finishing second this preparation and trainer Symon Wilde believes the mare deserves to break through for a city win.
Wilde is hoping that will be at Caulfield on Saturday when Royal Applause steps beyond 1600m for the first time in the Ian Morrison Handicap (1700m) having run second in her past three metropolitan starts in benchmark races.
“It’s quite an unusual preparation. She’s had six starts for five seconds,” Wilde said.
“It’s been a bit frustrating because three of those seconds have been in town and I think had any luck gone her way I think she could have won at least a couple, especially the two at Moonee Valley.
“She got back off a slow tempo both times and flashed home but hopefully her day will come.
“She’s been amazingly consistent.”
After seconds at Warrnambool and Geelong at the start of her campaign, Royal Applause was unplaced as favourite in a benchmark-64 at Ararat before heading to town.
She ran home for second in two fillies and mares’ benchmark races at Moonee Valley Friday night meetings before bumping into promising import Plein Ciel at Caulfield in another 1600m race.
Plein Ciel won by 3-1/4 lengths to remain unbeaten from three Australian starts but Wilde said he could see no stand-outs in Saturday’s field.
“So hopefully she will get her chance,” he said.
He believes if Royal Applause holds her form and gets luck in running then she is right in Saturday’s benchmark 70 race and has no concerns about the step up to 1700m.
Royal Applause is on the second line of betting at $5 and Wilde doesn’t mind that the mare has drawn barrier nine in a bigger field than her recent races.
“I’d hope she can be maybe a little worse than midfield with a bit of cover and it will give her a good opportunity to slingshot home,” he said.
