Set Square has been included in the 2015 The Vanity field and is set to return to the races for the first time since she won the 2014 Crown Oaks during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival.
Set Square has not been seen at the races since she produced a strong staying performance to win the 2015 Crown Oaks. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett
Set Square was originally set to return to racing in the Group 3 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield next Saturday, but trainer Ciaron Maher elected to push forward the resumption date of his star filly.
The daughter of Reset is likely to have two race starts in Melbourne before she is sent to Sydney for the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 28 and the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 11.
Set Square will face stiff competition in The Vanity especially in the form of undefeated filly Wawail, who will defend her unbeaten record in the Group 3 event at Flemington this weekend.
Co-trainer David Hayes was considering giving Wawail a maiden opportunity at the highest level of racing in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington this weekend, but she will instead race against horses her own sex and age before she steps-up to Group 1 level for the Australian Guineas in a fortnight.
Wawail has recorded four wins from as many race starts and she showed impressive tenacity to fight off a strong challenged from Clover Lane in the Pack A Picnic Plate (1100m) at Flemington on January 31.
Maastricht was beaten by Set Square in the Listed Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival, but the Team Hawkes-trained filly will have the chance to turn-the-tables on her rival in The Vanity.
The Mastercraftsman filly returned to racing in the Café Culture Handicap (1250m) at Canterbury on February 6, but did not appear to handle the tricky track and is sure to relish the extra step-up in distance.
Peter Moody finished second in the 2014 edition of The Vanity with Critical Angel and he will have three chances to record his maiden win in the race after including Sweet And Speedy, Clover Lane and Miss Adele in the nominations.
Sweet And Speedy will be stepping-up in class after winning a benchmark 70 event at Sandown on Australia, while Miss Adele is another that will be taking a bit step-up in grade.
Wawail is currently available at 2015 The Vanity odds of $2.60 and is a clear favourite from Maastricht ($5), Fenway ($6.50), Set Square ($7.50) and Clover Lane ($9).
