Trainer Peter Moody has revealed that Pasadena Girl will still not be at peak fitness when she contests the 2015 Thousand Guineas Prelude at Caulfield on Saturday.
Pasadena Girl has the chance to return to winning form in the 2015 Thousand Guineas Prelude, but trainer Peter Moody believes she is still not at peak fitness. Photo by: Steve Hart
Pasadena Girl returned to the races with a fast-finishing second behind Stay With Me in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 5 and the Savabeel filly looked as though she would be close to her top when she stepped up to 1400 metres for the Thousand Guineas Prelude, but Moody told Racing Ahead that he has been fairly easy on the three-year-old since she ran in the Atlantic Jewel Stakes.
Moody said that he is extremely happy with the physical condition of Pasadena Girl and he remains confident that she can win the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m), but he revealed that his goal is to have the Champagne Stakes winner at her absolute best for both the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10 and the Group 1 Crown Oaks (2400m) at Flemington on November 5.
“She raced very well there and we were very pleased,” Moody said of the Atlantic Jewel Stakes.
“We probably raced her a week sooner than we thought, but we just thought that was a slightly softer option than the Danehill at Flemington.
“She was strong late, she probably struggled around the turn there, but she was very strong on the line.
“She is back playing at home tomorrow and she is in very good shape.
“You want to try and have two peak runs, be it the Thousand Guineas and possibly the Oaks.
“I am happy for tomorrow’s race to condition her for the Thousand Guineas.
“I am not suggesting that she can’t win, but I am suggesting that she is still off her top and we are using this run to bring her on for the Guineas.
“I am very pleased with her progress, she looks super and she is going along nicely.”
Moody is yet to win the Thousand Guineas after previously missing the placings with Bring Me The Maid (2014), Hallowell Belle (2011), Cute Emily (2011), Queen Of The Falls (2008), Riva San (2007) and Cinque Cento (2004), while he has missed the Crown Oaks placings with Imperial Lass (2014), Riva San (2007) and Andallthatjazz (2005).
Pasadena Girl is currently available at 2015 Thousand Guineas Prelude odds of $5 with Ladbrokes and is on the second line of betting behind Atlantic Jewel Stakes winner Stay With Me ($3.70).
