Trainer Ciaron Maher has revealed that rising filly Srikandi is a chance of running in the 2014 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on June 7.
Srikandi will be chasing her second straight win when she contests the Juanmo Stakes at Doomben on Saturday. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Srikandi has had just five race starts since making her debut with a comfortable win in the Slickpix Plate (1000m) at Cranbourne on September 19, but has stamped herself as a contender at Group level with a string of impressive performances this preparation.
The Dubawi filly started her autumn campaign with a second place finish behind Pilly’s Wish in The Drain Man Handicap (1000m) at Moonee Valley on February 28 and earnt a trip to Brisbane with wins in the Brown’s Sawdust & Shavings Handicap (1200m) at Mornington on March 26 and the Carlton Draught Handicap (1200m) at Sandown on April 16.
Srikandi was given a maiden opportunity at Listed level in the Silk Stocking (1200m) at the Gold Coast on May 3 and led all the way to score a dominant two and a half lengths victory from La Pieta and Platinum Rocker.
Maher included Srikandi in the nominations for the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m), Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m) and Listed Juanmo Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday, but told TVN that the three-year-old will contest the Juanmo Stakes and remains a chance of making her Group 1 debut in the Stradbroke Handicap at the end of her 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival campaign.
“She is absolutely flying and every time I take her to the races she improves,” Maher said.
“She’ll run in the fillies and mares race here on Saturday then we’ll see what happens.
“You never know, three-year-olds like her can get into the race (Stradbroke) with a light weight.
“You have to aim high sometimes.
“We’ll just see what happens but she is certainly moving in the right direction.”
Srikandi is set to face a tough field in the Juanmo Stakes this weekend; with a number of talented fillies and mares including in the nominations for the Listed event.
Chris Waller-trained Arinosa and She’s Clean are both a chance of returning to the races in the Juanmo Stakes, while talented mare She Can Skate could make her first appearance at the races since she finished a disappointing tenth behind Flamberge in the East Malvern Bank Plate at the end of her 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign.
Maher has a strong hand at Doomben on Saturday; with tough gelding Mr O’Ceirin chasing his maiden win at Group 1 level in the Doomben Cup (2000m).
