Unequivocal’s closing third on debut behind Peggy Jean in the Inglis Classic has her trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith hopeful she can make up even more ground on that filly at Rosehill.
The two are among 11 youngsters entered for Saturday’s 1200m race for two-year-olds.
While Peggy Jean was wearing away at Boomwaa in the $250,000 classic on January 18, Unequivocal defied her $61 quote to finish three lengths from the runner-up with her late sprint.
“I wasn’t really surprised by how well she went,” Mayfield-Smith said.
“She trialled really well before the race. She is still learning what it’s about and you could see that in the Inglis Classic.
“While the other two got away at the top of the straight she took time to get going once she got round the turn.
“The best part of her race was her last 50 metres.”
The ever conservative trainer said he would take things one step at a time with Unequivocal but had entered for for the Golden Slipper.
“We want to live the dream like everyone else,” he said.
“But we need to get her to win a race so she’s got the prize money.
“Getting to races like the Slipper only comes to a select few and with two-year-olds you need to take it one step at a time and they will take the steps themselves.
“I think she’s going to be even better over more ground.”
Mayfield-Smith is also pleased with stakes winner Famous Seamus who is getting ready to return after a short summer break.
“He is up to steady work at this stage and he will guide us which way to go,” he said.
“I’ve got a plan in my head where I’d like to go but we’ll wait and see.
“The Stradbroke is a race I’d love to win with him but there are a lot of options over the autumn.”
Unequivocal will again be ridden by Padraig Beggy, an Irish jockey who has been with Mayfield-Smith for about nine months.
