Princess to appreciate drop in grade
2010-03-11T00:02:34+11:0011th March 2010, 12:02 am
By Mandy Cottell
SYDNEY, March 11 AAP - A lack of suitable races forced Grahame Begg to throw Pagan Princess in at the deep end last start but he is hoping the experience will hold her in good stead for Saturday's Aspiration Quality at Randwick.
The mare posted consecutive wins over 1400m and 1600m at Randwick in January but Begg couldn't find another suitable mile race for fillies and mares in Sydney for six weeks.
He elected to take her to Melbourne for the Group Two Sunline Stakes (1600m) and, while it wasn't an ideal assignment, he was buoyed by her creditable fifth to the classy Zarita who will tackle this weekend's Group One Australian Cup at Flemington.
"She'd won at a mile previously but there wasn't another race for her over a mile for six weeks so we rolled the dice and ran her in a Group Two at weight-for-age and she wasn't disgraced," Begg said.
"She was a victim of a slow pace and was left a bit flat-footed when they sprinted but she hit the line well.
"She probably cost herself a place by running out in the straight, she got on her wrong leg."
Pagan Princess will drop to Listed grade on Saturday and will be ridden by apprentice Brenton Avdulla.
The Aspiration Quality (1600m) has attracted a handy field headed by Sacred Choice and promising mares Hide 'N' Dash and Jessicabeel but Begg concedes it is an open race with no standout.
"Not at all, you've got the topweight there (Sacred Choice) but I'm not sure if she'll run a mile and she's got 58 (kg)," he said.
The up-and-coming Hide 'N' Dash could be the surprise packet after having little luck when seventh to Pagan Princess two starts ago before bouncing back to score a strong midweek win at Warwick Farm.
The Bob Thomsen-trained mare will have the advantage of the inside gate and Group One-winning jockey Peter Wells in the saddle.
Begg and Avdulla will also team up in the Listed Strada Stakes (1200m) with filly Al Sahra.
The three-year-old has raced just four times for a win and a placing and comes into the race after a first-up seventh to Winter King over 1100m at Rosehill last month.
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SYDNEY, March 11 AAP - A lack of suitable races forced Grahame Begg to throw Pagan Princess in at the deep end last start but he is hoping the experience will hold her in good stead for Saturday's Aspiration Quality at Randwick.
The mare posted consecutive wins over 1400m and 1600m at Randwick in January but Begg couldn't find another suitable mile race for fillies and mares in Sydney for six weeks.
He elected to take her to Melbourne for the Group Two Sunline Stakes (1600m) and, while it wasn't an ideal assignment, he was buoyed by her creditable fifth to the classy Zarita who will tackle this weekend's Group One Australian Cup at Flemington.
"She'd won at a mile previously but there wasn't another race for her over a mile for six weeks so we rolled the dice and ran her in a Group Two at weight-for-age and she wasn't disgraced," Begg said.
"She was a victim of a slow pace and was left a bit flat-footed when they sprinted but she hit the line well.
"She probably cost herself a place by running out in the straight, she got on her wrong leg."
Pagan Princess will drop to Listed grade on Saturday and will be ridden by apprentice Brenton Avdulla.
The Aspiration Quality (1600m) has attracted a handy field headed by Sacred Choice and promising mares Hide 'N' Dash and Jessicabeel but Begg concedes it is an open race with no standout.
"Not at all, you've got the topweight there (Sacred Choice) but I'm not sure if she'll run a mile and she's got 58 (kg)," he said.
The up-and-coming Hide 'N' Dash could be the surprise packet after having little luck when seventh to Pagan Princess two starts ago before bouncing back to score a strong midweek win at Warwick Farm.
The Bob Thomsen-trained mare will have the advantage of the inside gate and Group One-winning jockey Peter Wells in the saddle.
Begg and Avdulla will also team up in the Listed Strada Stakes (1200m) with filly Al Sahra.
The three-year-old has raced just four times for a win and a placing and comes into the race after a first-up seventh to Winter King over 1100m at Rosehill last month.
Click the "like" button on the Punters Paradise Facebook page to receive our news directly to your facebook feed, along with extra photos, discussions, newsletters, free tips and special betting offers.
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