Trainer Pat Carey is hoping dour mare Our Serena can load up her value as a broodmare in the Listed Roy Higgins Quality at Flemington.
Carey said although the five-year-old was still a city maiden she was well placed to break through in Saturday’s 2500-metre stakes event ahead of her retirement which could be as early this spring.
“She’s got a fantastic pedigree and I’d just like to see her become a city winner,” Carey said.
“She’s already got some black type through two stakes placings but importantly you want them to win a black type race.”
Carey said Our Serena should have finished in the placings when fourth in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) two starts ago and was dismissive of her of her last start fifth over 2000 metres at Caulfield.
“I wouldn’t take much notice of her run last Saturday,” Carey said.
“She finished up an unwanted leader but that was just the way the race panned out.
“She was tough in the Mornington Cup and I thought she probably should have got into the money.”
Her Roy Higgins rivals include other Mornington Cup runners Drunken Sailor (second), Perth Cup winner Western Jewel (fifth) and Prussian Officer (seventh).
“None of them will be easy to get past on Saturday but if she gets a nice run in the race I’m sure she will be highly competitive,” Carey said.
Our Serena’s strength is her stamina and as a three-year-old she finished fourth to Exceptionally in the 2010 VRC St Leger Stakes (2800m) at Flemington.
She also finished second in the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington in January last year and in the spring was third in the Listed Ansett Classic (2413m) and second in the Sandown Cup (3200m).
“She is a true mile and a half (2400m) horse and beyond. Probably a two miler,” Carey said.
“If she was in Europe she would probably be running in races between 3600 and 4000 metres and probably being competitive.”
Carey said this could be Our Serena’s last campaign and a decision would be made at the end of the season if she goes to stud.
She is $16 with TAB Sportsbet for the Higgins Quality, while Drunken Sailor ($3.40), Persian Star ($3.50) and Western Jewel ($4) are the leading fancies.
AAP TURF
