Trainer Grahame Begg has relocated Cilacap to Melbourne post a lacklustre Sydney stint of two runs, focusing on an Adelaide engagement ahead.
She contests the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield this Saturday, followed by a trip to Morphettville for the Group 2 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) on April 25.
Begg claimed the Queen Of The Turf Stakes in the previous year using Zloties, his inaugural triumph in Adelaide.
Last year, Cilacap aimed for Adelaide’s Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m), yet a bone chip in her knee after a lead-up appearance prevented participation.
The mare began afresh in December, paused briefly, then tackled Sydney with a first-up effort in the Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill on February 21, midfield next in the Group 1 Coolmore Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 14.
Begg’s early plan was the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday for Cilacap.
“I thought she was better off coming back to Melbourne,” Begg said.
“So, she’ll run on Saturday and then she’ll go over to Adelaide to run in the Queen Of The South Stakes, the Group 2.
“The tracks up in Sydney, the two runs she had up there, they were too hard and she loves a bit of give in the ground.
“They had rain up there last weekend, but I had already brought her back to Victoria.”
Begg arranged a soft jump-out at Pakenham for Cilacap on March 31 ahead of her Saturday switch-up.
He expressed dissatisfaction with last week’s Caulfield surface during the meeting, but Thursday’s Melbourne rain cheered him up.
For Saturday, Harry Coffey takes the reins on Cilacap for the first occasion, succeeding booked apprentice Logan Bates.
Last week, Bates was suspended for careless riding.
“Jockeys are a premium on Saturday with Sydney being on and now Adelaide coming into the picture,” Begg said.
“There’s a huge shortage of jockeys. I had Logan Bates booked for both my horses and then he got suspended on Saturday.
“Harry has a wedding to go to on Saturday afternoon, but luckily, I’ve got him for both.”
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