Splash Back is a late-comer to Sydney’s Autumn Carnival, but the $300,000 Sapphire Stakes plays an important part in her preparation.
The Grahame Begg-trained mare, who has not raced since finishing down the track in the Empire Rose Stakes on Derby Day, will launch a campaign aimed at Group 1 features in Brisbane in this Saturday’s 1200-metre event at Randwick.
Begg, who trained at Randwick for more than two decades before relocating to Victoria around a decade ago, considered unleashing Splash Back in the Group 1 Sangster Stakes (1200m) in Adelaide later this month, but feels this weekend’s Group 2 better sets up the campaign ahead.
“I was thinking about possibly going to the Sangster, because she does race well fresh, but I thought that might be too much to ask her first-up,” Begg said.
“So, I thought we’ll take her to Sydney and run her in this race – (it’s at) Randwick, a big track and she can be ridden where she’s comfortable and be getting home at the finish.”
The French-bred daughter of Le Havre has had three jumpouts at Pakenham in preparation for her return. A fourth placing over 800m on March 3 was followed by wins in 1000m hitouts on March 17 and 31.
“She did extremely well and I was having trouble getting the weight off her, but she’s had a couple of very nice jumpouts,” Begg said.
“I’m very happy with her and the way she’s prepped up for the race.
“You’d think in that grade they might be a bit sharp for her, but she’ll be getting home well at the finish, I can assure you.”
Splash Back is not the only Queensland-bound member of the Begg team resuming at Randwick, with She’s A Hustler to take on the likes of Pride Of Jenni, Lady Shenandoah and Treasurethe Moment in the $1 million Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
The 1600m Group 1 will be her first start since winning the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield on November 29 and Begg considers it a nice stepping stone towards the Hollindale Stakes, Doomben Cup and Q22.
“We’re under no illusions, it’s not going to be easy for her first-up, but she’s going very well,” Begg said.
She’s A Hustler drew barrier six in Saturday’s 14-horse event, in which she will be ridden by Jordan Childs, who also takes the ride on Splash Back from barrier two.