Trainer Kelvin Southey holds no regrets about deferring Bazaball Rewarded’s metropolitan racing debut until this season, and he is pleased she is now receiving the chance to prove her mettle.

The four-year-old mare’s three starts this year have all been at Caulfield, resulting in wins bookending a fifth-place finish in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes.

Bazaball Rewarded is scheduled to return to Caulfield this Saturday for the $130,000 Sportsbet More Places BM84 Handicap over 1100 metres.

Mornington-based Southey kept the daughter of Reward For Effort to her home track last preparation, where she earned the title of Mornington Marvel, an accolade that came with a $100,000 reward.

This substantial prize was an irresistible incentive for Southey, who believes the additional experience in lower-grade racing might have benefited her.

“I would have brought her to town earlier, but that was a bit of a carrot there,” Southey commented. “She ran a track record at Mornington, so she’s obviously got some gears and then the two wins at Caulfield have been really good and this prep I think she’s improved.”

Bazaball Rewarded won five of her six starts at Mornington last preparation, with her sole defeat occurring beyond 1000 metres when she finished fourth in a 1200m BM66 event behind Recon.

Her two victories this campaign have both been over 1000 metres. While the Bel Esprit Stakes was run over 1100 metres, Southey feels there was merit in that run and is adamant she is more than just a short-distance specialist.

“I thought she was unlucky in the Bel Esprit, so far as they just ran a bit quick early and then she still sprinted well at the top of the straight, but just probably in the wrong part of the track,” he said. “I think if we can just have her settle a little bit better early, she’ll finish off better.”

Southey considered running Bazaball Rewarded against her own sex at Caulfield in the second race, a BM84 over 1100m restricted to fillies and mares. However, he opted for the colts and geldings race with a lighter weight.

Premiership contender Jamie Mott will ride from barrier 12 in a field of 16. Bazaball Rewarded will carry 59.5kg, two kilograms less than she would have borne in the fillies and mares event.

“I just didn’t want to put too much weight on her and Jamie rides her well – he’s got a good feel for her,” Southey concluded.

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