Politeness not certain Thousand Guineas starter

Caulfield trainer Robert Smerdon is weighing up his Spring Carnival options for his filly Politeness and a start in the Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 16 is still to be confirmed.

Guelph will start the short priced favourite in the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield

Guelph will start the short priced favourite in the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield. Photo by Steve Hart.

Smerdon is monitoring Poilteness’ progress coming off a tough run when seventh to Se Sauver in the Group 2 $220,000 TAB Edward Manifold Stakes (1610m) at Flemington.

And the top trainer is also very conscious of the ease with which outstanding Sydney filly Guelph took out the Group 1 $400,000 Coolmore Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

The Peter Snowden trained Guelph is an odds on favourite to make it back to back fillies’ Group1 victories and has tempted Smerdon to look for something easier for his filly, with the Group 2 $220,000 Fillies Classic (1600m) at Moonee Valley on October 25 in mind.

“We might look to go to the Group 2 race at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Eve instead with her and avoid Guelph,” Smerdon told Racing Network.

But Smerdon won’t be rushed into making a decision and will wait until the end of the week before choosing which path to take.

“She had a tough run last week but she seems OK,” Smerdon said.

“I’ll wait until the end of the week before we decide which way to go.”

Politeness has been sent out favourite at her last two starts without delivering, but the Street Sense filly wasn’t disgraced on Saturday, battling on well after being forced to race wide when beaten less than three lengths in the Edward Manifold.

The start before Politeness settled midfield but couldn’t match it with Gregers and Marianne in the run to the line when third in the Group 2 $175,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on September 21.

Guelph is the standout in the Thousand Guineas and has been marked as the $1.80 favourite with Gregers the next filly in the market order at $7 with Politeness alongside of last start Caulfield winner May’s Dream at $8.

While last Saturday’s Edward Manifold Stakes winner Se Sauver is a $15 chance.

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.