A Time For Julia to take on Group 1 after win in Roy Higgins Quality

A Time For Julia will take on Group 1 company next week after scoring a near last to first win in the Group 3 $150,000 Roy Higgins Tribute Quality (1200m) at Randwick today.

A Time For Julia, white colours, scores a narrow win in the Roy Higgins Tribute Quality.

A Time For Julia, white colours, scores a narrow win in the Roy Higgins Tribute Quality. Photo by Steve Hart.

Trainer Peter Moody had no hesitation in nominating the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill in seven days after A Time For Julia ($3) kept the punters happy with a last stride win over Lilliburlero ($4.40).

“It was good. Pleasing for where we are going in seven days up to 1500m around Rosehill and you would want to be wining that,” Moody said.

“But the manner she did it was the pleasing thing. She came from probably what wasn’t as  strong a tempo what we might have liked to have seen and still closed it out well.”

Moody is not worried about the quick back up saying that A Time For Julia is one of the better doers in the stable.

“She does very well and enjoys her feed so it will save me having to do a lot with her during the week, Moody said.”

Moody also said that the stable had always held a high opinion of the Redoute’s Choice mare as she steps up to Group 1 level.

“We have always held this opinion of her. There is no better bred filly in the land and every bit of black type enhances her wonderful family and she deserves to be there,” Moody said.

Winning jockey Blake Shinn had to settle A Time For Julia well back in the field and the mare only had one runner behind her on the home turn.

At the 300m on top of the rise Nash Rawiller shot Lilliburlero to the front and the David Payne trained mare look to have the race in her keeping before A Time For Julia came with a late rush to score a short neck victory with Recoinage ($10) getting the judges’ nod for third in a busy finish for the minor placing.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.