Joseph Pride has confirmed that Steps In Time will take up the running in the 2014 Tattersall’s Tiara and the leading Sydney trainer is hoping that his star mare can get away with some easy sectionals in the Group 1 event at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Steps In Time is chasing a second Group 1 victory in what could be the last start of her racing career. Photo by: Steve Hart
Steps In Time led from start to finish to record her maiden win at Group 1 level in the Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22 and Pride told Racing Ahead that he is hoping jockey Jimmy Cassidy will be able to replicate that ride in the Tattersall’s Tiara this weekend.
“She is a front running mare,” Pride said.
“The thing about the Coolmore is that she went quick for the last 800 metres, but she went through some pretty steady sectionals the first bit.
“It is always nice to get a breather and if she jumps well I would like to think that she can get a steady first-up of the race and then we can make it a bit more serious in the second half.”
Steps In Time started her 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival with a narrow second behind Catkins in the Group 2 Breeders Classic (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 15 and she took out the Coolmore Classic at her next start before failing to fire on a heavy track in the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on April 12.
Pride said that Steps In Time did not handle the heavy surface in the T.J. Smith and he is confident that she can return to the form that she showed at the start of her autumn campaign after winning a barrier trial at Warwick Farm on June 13 by an impressive six lengths.
“The T.J was obviously a pretty poor run, but it was her first time on heavy ground and it is pretty easy to explain away,” Pride said.
“Her two runs before that were obviously top class and she just needs to repeat that at that level again tomorrow.
“It (her trial) was every bit as good as I was hoping and probably a little bit more, so it was really pleasing.
“She has had a good week since, she travelled up last night and arrived in good order this morning.”
Steps In Time ($6) is currently on the fourth line of 2014 Tattersall’s Tiara betting markets at a quote of $6; with Cosmic Endeavour ($4.80) and Red Tracer ($4.80) battling for favouritism from Catkins ($5.50).
