An early decision by trainer Guy Walter will see stable star Streama kick off her Autumn Carnival campaign in the Group 2 $175,000 Breeders Classic (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Streama to kick off Autumn campaign in the Breeders Classic. Photo by Steve Hart.
Walter had also entered the multiple Group 1 winning mare in the Group 1 $500,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday but has elected to stay at home and take on the mares at Group 2 level.
“Our thinking was that she was not really a 1000 metre mare and her main game is in Sydney,” Walter told AAP.
“We don’t want to jeopardise her Sydney campaign. There is a long way to go.”
“She may run on Saturday and then not for another month.”
“If she got a nice weight in the Liverpool City Cup she would run there but otherwise we can give her a barrier trial and go to the Canterbury Stakes on the 15th of March.”
Streama’s ultimate Autumn goal is the Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 12 and Walter is hoping to improve on her effort last year when fourth to Sacred Falls.
After Saturday Walter has pencilled in the Group 1 $500,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on March 15 and the Group 1 $1m George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 29, both at weight age.
Walter is confident that Stream is forward enough in condition to run a bold race first up after completing two barrier trials at Warwick Farm in her preparation.
“I think Streama is forward enough after two barrier trials to run a big race,” Walter said
“But the entries are strong so it’s not going to be an easy race.”
The Australian Turf Club has extended nominations until 11AM on Tuesady for all races at Rosehill on Saturday after only eighty-three horses were nominated for the eight event program.
The Breeders Classic has attracted thirteen entries including the Chris Waller trio off Group 1 Myer Classic quinella Red Tracer and Catkins and handy mare She’s Clean all resuming from a break.
Unbeaten mare White Sage will also be having her first run since winning the Listed $100,000 Blackwoods Stanley Dewalt Festival Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on November 30, her fifth win from as many starts.
Trainer John O’Shea has a huge opinion of the grey mare and is aiming her towards the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill on March 22.
Smart mare Steps In Time is also resuming and will be having her first start for Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride after winning the last two runnings of the Breeders Classic under the care O’Shea.
Gai Waterhouse has also nominated 2012 Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner Driefontein who has been freshened up since winning the $164,000 R.M. Williams Magic Millions Fillies & Mares Handicap (1300m) at the Gold Coast on January 11.
