Mark Newnham believes the time is right to test filly Sweet Victory in a Saturday class in Sydney for the first time after back-to-back wins.
The Randwick-based trainer has picked the Ascot Restaurant Sale Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill as the next logical stepping stone for the three-year-old after victories at Hawkesbury and midweek at Warwick Farm.
“She’s shown above-average ability pretty much all the way through. As she’s maturing she’s improving,” Newnham said.
He has always had a high opinion of Sweet Victory, so much so Newnham took her to Flemington for the Listed Seppelt Wines Stakes (1800m), where she was a distant 11th at Flemington in November.
That trip proved too ambitious, though Newnham is confident he has a handy Smart Missile filly on his hands.
“She had a go on Oaks Day. It didn’t quite work out but she’s always shown enough,” he said.
“She’s not overly big but she’s tough. She’s been strong late in all her races.”
Newnham was unfazed about Sweet Victory dropping back from the mile given the track conditions forecast for Saturday.
“She’s coming back to 1400 but we’re probably going to get a rain-affected track,” he said.
Sweet Victory has a perfect two-from-two record on soft tracks, and Newnham also expects stablemate Star Sensation to enjoy Rosehill, going fourth-up after a third in #theraces Handicap (1200m) on June 2.
“She showed good improvement in her last start when she got on some softer ground,” he said.
“I’d say the tracks from here on in through the winter are going to be to her liking. She’s been looking for the edge off the ground,” he said.
