John Sadler anticipates that Befuddle’s past experience on the Flemington straight will serve her well in the coming race.
On Saturday, the filly enters the HKJC World Pool Trophy (1100m), representing her second start over 11 months.
Sadler revealed the Hanseatic filly underperformed in the spring, but expressed satisfaction with her fourth placing at Caulfield Heath on February 9 for her return.
“For a horse that had been off the scene for a long time, she ran very well at Caulfield Heath,” Sadler said.
“She got very tired late, but they did run along, and she led them up and there were some quick horses in that race.
“We got her to the trial stage in the spring, but she just didn’t come up, so I tipped her out.
“There were no lameness issues or anything like that, she just didn’t look right.
“I’m happy with how she’s going but I still think she might be one race away, however I’m expecting her to run really well.”
The straight at Flemington is familiar territory for Befuddle, having raced there before on two occasions.
Her first go saw her finish sixth in the Talindert Stakes (1100m) to Tentyris, followed three starts later by third in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m), before her recent reappearance.
“Before we figured out to let her stride, she was held up in the Talindert behind Tentyris where she over-raced shockingly,” Sadler said.
“Her run was actually a hell of a lot better than what it looks on paper.
“She came out a start later and led all-the-way at Moonee Valley and then went to Caulfield and ran second in The Showdown.
“I’ve always had a better opinion of her than what the market suggests and I hope I turn out to be right.”
At Flemington this Saturday, The Troubleshooter, Befuddle’s younger half-brother by I Am Immortal, will debut in the Listed TAB We’re On (1000m).
Sadler called the two-year-old a sharp prospect with solid grounding.
“He’s ready to run well, but it will depend on the others and how he handles the straight at his first start,” Sadler said.
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