Trainer Donna Logan is happy with the condition of talented mare Rising Romance, but admits that she is worried about the 2014 Caulfield Cup barrier draw that will be held at Crown Casino this afternoon.
Rising Romance has the chance to join Leliani and How Now as the only horses to complete the Australian Oaks/Caulfield Cup double. Photo by: Steve Hart.
Rising Romance worked alongside Group 1 placegetter Kingdoms at Caulfield this morning and the pair completed their final 400 metres in less than 25 seconds without being fully tested by their respective jockeys.
Logan told TVN this morning that Rising Romance did everything that she was asked during the trackwork this morning and is progressing nicely towards the toughest test of her racing career to date this Saturday, but is just hoping that the Ekraar mare has some luck at the Caulfield Cup barrier draw this evening.
“It was very nice work considering they have had a bit of rain overnight,” Logan said.
“I was very pleased with the way that she finished it off.
“We decided that we had to keep plenty in the tank for Saturday, but we wanted to just clear the wind pipes.
“We have been very fortunate and touch wood it continues along as it has.
“She has stepped up each time that we have asked her to step-up and I am pretty happy, but I am just worried about the draw now.”
Rising Romance started her 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a promising fourth in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on September 6 before she finished a credible seventh in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at the same venue on September 20.
The Australian Oaks winner was upset as a short-priced favourite by Moriarty in the Group 3 Craven Plate (2000m) at Royal Randwick on October 4, but Logan has still been delighted with the way that her star galloper has progressed during her spring preparation and is confident that she is at her peak for Caulfield Cup on Saturday.
“She is really loving it here,” Logan said.
“I don’t know if it is the fact that we have a big yard to keep her happy or what it is, but she is just really thriving.
“We looked for the softer option and we figured that we had plenty of times to take the big guns on and we would do it when we were peak fit.”
Rising Romance is currently available at 2014 Caulfield Cup odds of $13, but the betting market could be shaken up after the barrier draw is conducted at 5.45 (AEDT) this afternoon.
