Robbie Griffiths admits it’s not ideal to have two of the stable’s fillies running against each other in a stakes race at Flemington.

Ariaz and Selenia contest the Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes on Saturday after which they head on different paths.

Griffiths says later in the spring they may meet again depending on Ariaz’s ability to handle a distance rise but he can’t split the pair over Saturday’s 1100m and is hoping for a one-two finish.

Ariaz is on a path towards next month’s Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield while Selenia is being kept to races up to 1200m.

“Selenia at this stage hasn’t shown us that she will run 1400 or 1600 metres whereas Ariaz, she’s a lot more willing to relax straight away,” Griffiths said.

“I’m hoping those good manners and temperament will help her stretch out in distance.

“But if she goes to the 1400 and can’t run the distance then we’ll have to revert back and then both fillies might have to clash later in the spring.”

Griffiths said he would be guided by Ariaz’s performance in the Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on September 24 whether she presses on to the Group One race.

He said Ariaz could reel off quick closing sectional times but noted fillies that produce sectionals like she can are usually better suited over 1200m or shorter.

Selenia raced off the speed when a close sixth behind I Am A Star in the Quezette Stakes at Caulfield.

Griffiths said a return to Flemington, where she was successful last March, would suit the filly.

“She is a speed filly that took up a key spot in her early runs and she showed a new dimension in coming from off the speed and running on last time,” Griffiths said.

“I think she needs that extra strength because most of the fillies races at this time of year are over 1200 and when she won it was over 1000 metres.”

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au