Connections of classy mare Threeood had designs on her contesting the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara this weekend, but when it became clear she would not make the final field, the decision was made to concentrate on a goal closer to home.
The five-year-old will instead line up in the Listed Civic Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday in what trainer Joe Pride describes as “a nice back-up plan”.
Threeood has already attained black-type courtesy of her victory in the Group Three Belle Of The Turf Stakes on a heavy track at Gosford in December and she will strike similar ground at Randwick when she shoots for another, this time for new owners Grant Bloodstock.
“She’s got new connections now and they’re keen to give her a chance in a nice race,” Pride said.
“She’s an honest mare, she tries her heart out.
“I gave her a trial the other Friday and I don’t know if there was much in it, but she absolutely bolted in.”
Threeood resumed with a closing third to Exhilirates in the Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) on a good track at Eagle Farm last month before heading home to Warwick Farm where she won a June 11 barrier trial by more than four lengths.
A three-time winner on heavy tracks, the mare will carry the 53kg minimum for Jay Ford in the field of 10, which is headed by last-start Brisbane winner Ranier for Godolphin.
“She ran super first-up behind Exhilirates and Sweet Deal and that’s the right sort of form,” Pride said.
In an open betting race, the Kris Lees-trained Wandabaa has opened a $5 favourite with TAB fixed odds, while Threeood shares the third line of betting with Bandersnatch and Fender as a $6.50 chance.
Randwick was rated a heavy 8 on Thursday.
