Trainer Enver Jusufovic has confirmed that the Listed Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville on Saturday is the preferred option for talented filly Just Too Hard.
Just Too Hard finished behind Thiamandi in her return to racing at Caulfield. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Jusufovic included Just Too Hard in the nominations for both the Lightning Stakes and the Super VOBIS Three-Years-Old Fillies Handicap at Caulfield and he told Racing Ahead this morning that the Listed event in Adelaide has always been the goal for the daughter of Hard Spun this preparation, but would analyse the weather in both cities before making a final decision.
“The owner resides in Adelaide and she has sort of been targeted at this race,” Jusufovic said.
“I will more than likely accept for both and I will weight up barriers and track conditions.
“She doesn’t perform too well on a slow 7 or worse and she is certainly better on a firm surface.
“Jamie Kah has been booked to ride in Adelaide.
Just Too Hard made her racing debut with a win at Yarra Valley on January 7 earlier this year and made her metropolitan racing debut with a fourth place finish in the Vaughan Webb Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield on January 25.
The rising four-year-old was a sure thing beaten at Pakenham on February 14 and she was sent to the spelling paddock after doing plenty wrong in The Drain Man Handicap (1000m) at Moonee Valley on February 28 – a race that involved subsequent Group winner Srikandi.
Just Too Hard returned to the races with a promising fourth in The Cove Hotel Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield on July, but will need to improve on that performance to win the Lightning Stakes.
Even if Just Too Hard is sent to Adelaide, Jusufovic could end up with a runner in the Super VOBIS Three-Years-Old Fillies Handicap at Caulfield this weekend after he included debutant Anare in the nominations for the race.
Anare has taken plenty of time to get to the races, but the Reaan filly performed well in a barrier trial yesterday and is a chance of making her racing debut this Saturday.
“She was a $95,000 purchase and the good judges sort of suggested that she was an early type, well here we are at three and rising four,” Jusufovic said.
“She is really well and has just taken a long time.
“She trialed up really nice and she is a filly on the way up.
“I haven’t decided whether I will go there or not, but it is an option.”
Jusufovic scored his second metropolitan victory of the season at Flemington last weekend when the well-backed O’Malley took out the Bruce Gadsden Handicap (1000m).
