Tashi, the consistent five-year-old mare trained by Peter Snowden, is set to make her Melbourne debut in the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) at Sandown.
The decision to target the Bellmaine Stakes came after Tashi impressed in a 1030m barrier trial at Rosehill last Thursday, prompting Snowden to fast-track her return.
“I saw it about two weeks ago and when she trialled so well the other day, I thought ‘She’s ready to go now’,” Snowden told racing.com.
Despite her lack of experience in Melbourne, Snowden is confident Tashi will adapt well.
“She hasn’t been there before, but I think she should fit in well,” he added.
Tashi, who has won four of her 18 starts and placed in 10 others, has been a model of consistency but has narrowly missed out on a Stakes victory.
“She’s right on the cusp (of winning a Stakes race). She runs good races and she’s just had a bit of bad luck coming into vital stages of races,” Snowden noted.
With Jye McNeil booked to ride, Tashi will carry 56kg under set-weights-plus-penalties conditions. Snowden believes the race suits her perfectly.
“She gets in on the limit weight with no penalty because she hasn’t won a Stakes race. I think she’s well-weighted in a race that suits her well,” he said.
Snowden is optimistic about Tashi’s preparation, citing her improved strength and form.
“She’s going great. Her work has been really good and she looks so much stronger this time than I’ve had her before,” he said.
“I’m reasonably confident that this may be her best preparation, hopefully.”
