Plans to run in the Queensland Oaks didn’t come to fruition, but Millie De Lune can still earn a belated winter carnival opportunity with another win at Randwick.
Trainer Matthew Smith had hoped to target the three-year-old at the Group 1 classic earlier this month but her prizemoney earnings weren’t sufficient to gain a start.
Instead, she landed a consolation victory over 2000m in Sydney on June 7 and will be chasing another when she takes on older horses in the Elite Sand & Soil Handicap (1800m) at Randwick on Saturday.
“We didn’t quite get to the Oaks,” Smith said.
“The Randwick race was a good option and this race, I probably don’t jump them up in grade that often this quickly, but it fits in perfectly with her preparation in our off season.
“She is fit and well so we thought we’d give it a shot.”
Millie De Lune posted her second win in nine starts last time out and Smith isn’t overly concerned by the small distance drop.
While he concedes she faces a tougher task against more seasoned rivals, he is keen to see where she fits ahead of a possible trip north for the Group 3 Winx Guineas (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast on July 5.
“If she won on Saturday she could go to Queensland for the Sunshine Coast Guineas,” Smith said.
“Otherwise, we will chip our way through the grades and get her up to 2400 metres.”
Millie De Lune will be among three Randwick runners for Smith with two early scratchings clearing the way for first emergency Astero to take his place in the Civic Stakes (1400m), while Time Quest will resume in the Switzerland @ Coolmore Handicap (1200m).
While Smith says Saturday is a starting point for the latter, he won’t be surprised to see Astero bely his $41 quote.
“He was in at Ipswich as well but he will stay here and run from the better gate,” Smith said.
“His first two runs were excellent and his run the other day was good. He hasn’t been beaten far in any of them.
“His form doesn’t look great but he is going really well.”
Astero’s chance in the Civic Stakes and Millie De Lune’s form ahead of a potential Winx Guineas tilt make them intriguing betting prospects — check the best betting sites Australia to compare odds and promos.
