Group One-winning trainer David Brideoake has high hopes for Thames Court who is set to make her return in the Cockram Stakes at Caulfield.
Thames Court won the Group Three Alexandra Stakes at Moonee Valley during autumn before jarring up when last in the Laelia Stakes in Adelaide in April.
Brideoake said Thames Court had had a trouble free preparation leading into Saturday’s Group Three 1200m-race for mares and had performed well in two jump-outs.
“She goes into the race in pretty good shape. It’s traditionally a very good race though,” Brideoake said.
Brideoake is looking to give Thames Court her chance in feature mares’ races this spring while longer-term he believes she will be suited in Sydney next autumn.
“I think what she’s shown me, we’ve got a serious chance of a very high quality mare as we go forward,” Brideoake said.
“Those sorts of races like the Myer Classic and the Coolmore Classic, as time goes on, are probably within this mare’s grasp.”
The Cockram Stakes has 25 nominations with Miss Promiscuity the highest-rated entry.
“We’ll kick off in the Cockram and we’ll feel our way, with probably the mares’ race on Cox Plate day – the Tesio Stakes – or the Myer depending on how firm Flemington turns up to be,” Brideoake said .
He said he would prefer not to run Thames Court on hard ground.
“We’re content to take a few shots at some nice races through the spring and whatever comes out of it, her autumn will be good,” he said.
“She’s certainly improved since last preparation.”
Thames Court’s elder half-sister Our Harmony is ready to resume on Saturday but Brideoake is undecided whether that will be in a benchmark race at Caulfield or at Rosehill.
