Flemington specialist Vain Queen is not a certain starter in the Group 1 $500,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at her favourite track on February 21.
Vain Queen could switch from the G1 Black Caviar Lightning to the G1 Oakleigh Plate for her comeback run. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.
Vain Queen is a winner four times down the Flemington straight and trainer John Sadler had planned to give her a chance at Group 1 level in the race that the mighty Black Caviar won on three occasions.
But as the countdown to the Lightning gets closer, the possible contenders look stronger by the day with multiple Group 1 winner Lankan Rupee leading the charge along with Group 1 Darley Classic quinella Terravista and Chautauqua and the undefeated Deep Field also in contention for the 1000m straight dash.
With that in mind Sadler could switch Vain Queen to run in the Group 1 $400,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield the following week instead, a race that might prove to be slightly easier.
“That’s the race (Black Caviar Lightning) she is being trained for, but when I hear all of the horses that are going to line up in the race maybe we should go to the Oakleigh Plate instead,” Sadler told Racing Network after Vain Queen trialled well at Caulfield today.
“Now she’s a Group 3 winner I said we’d give her a crack at a Group 1 or two.
“On hearing all those names perhaps we will go to the Oakleigh Plate.
“We’ll just see how things unfold.”
Sadler was happy with Vain Queen’s third to Lankan Rupee in an 800m Caulfield jump out this morning and said that she is progressing nicely heading into her Autumn Carnival campaign..
“Look I’m really pleased with her, she has been really laid back in her track-work and Tom (son, Thomas) rode her to sit back, quietly, and she worked good to my eye, and Thomas was pleased too,” Sadler said.
Vain Queen has won seven of her twelve race starts, four of them down the Flemington straight, and when she resumes will be having her first start since winning the Group 3 $200,000 G.H. Mumm Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on November 6.
The Artie Schiller mare also has a very good first up record with 2 wins from three attempts.
