Ballarat horseman Simon Morish has decided on an easier approach with promising filly Miss Wilson that he hopes will lead to future riches.
The former New Zealand filly runs in the Premier Signs Handicap at Sandown on Wednesday in preference to a Group Three race at Flemington on Saturday.
“Hearing on who was going to The Vanity it was going to be an incredibly strong race and there would have been a risk that she wouldn’t have got into the race,” Morish said.
“We needed to get the show rolling and this race looked a better option.”
Miss Wilson had three starts in New Zealand before transferring to Morish, winning first-up in a Ballarat maiden last October.
She had an interrupted campaign, eventually spelling after running fourth in Listed grade at Sandown in November.
The filly returned on her home track earlier in the month finishing third over 1200m under Dwayne Dunn, who has the ride on Wednesday.
“She’s got a bit stronger and has put on some nice weight but as Dwayne said the other day she could still be another six months away,” Morish said.
“She’s a big striding filly with a big coat hanger body and there’s plenty of movement for her to grow.”
Miss Wilson holds nominations for next month’s Australian Guineas and the ATC Australian Oaks in April and Morish is still working out the filly’s best distance.
However he wants to get Miss Wilson back into a winning frame of mind and have a preparation that runs smoothly.
If Miss Wilson is able to start winning and get her rating up, Morish said entry into some of the better class races would take care of itself.
“She’s got to earn her stripes to run in those types of races and we’ll let her tell us what she’s aiming at,” Morish said.
Morish is convinced Miss Wilson has improved following her first-up run.
“Half an hour after the race she was home and able to re-hydrate quickly,” he said.
“You find they bounce off it well first-up on their home track.”
