Mating Call, the filly, may still be impacted by the elite competition she encountered last year, but she holds the capability to push past it toward an eventual Australasian Oaks opportunity.
Her joint trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray are more than satisfied with her evolution following stakes assignments in Melbourne, positioning her first run back in the M&J Chickens Handicap (1300m) at Morphettville Parks on Saturday as a favorable test, though lugging 60kg could prove somewhat demanding.
“She’s had a jump-out and two barrier trials because I wanted her fit and pretty well primed up to be very competitive first-up,” Clarken said.
“The weight is a little bit of a worry but she certainly is a talent so she probably deserves to get it.”
In Melbourne without a win, Brazen Beau’s progeny still shone brightly, highlighted by a Racing and Sports rating surpassing 105 for third, half a length shy, in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m), claimed by Getta Good Feeling who subsequently captured the Inglis Sprint (1200m).
She posted a 103 rating when fifth across the line in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) to Ole Dancer, entering Saturday’s Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill as a $7 prospect.
“Since being in Melbourne she has definitely grown up,” Clarken added.
“Her runs over there were terrific and she has matured into a better type of horse and is more tractable.
“She trialled in earmuffs once and then trialled at Oakbank the other day without them and she was good so in that respect she has matured.
“Over the spring she was a bit timid around other horses.”
A precise plan is set for the filly: the Listed Clare Lindop Stakes (1600m) on March 28, the Group 3 Auraria Stakes (1800m) next, culminating in the $1 million Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on April 25.
Mating Call is quoted at $3.80 on Saturday against the $3.10 favourite Sir Myka from Travis Doudle.
“From the soft draw (barrier two), she should be able to perch herself up there and I think there is reasonable speed in the race so she should be able to find herself a nice spot there,” Clarken said.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if she just goes straight past them.”
Visit betting sites for competitive sports betting on Mating Call’s upcoming assignment.
