Kyria will start on heavy track

A heavy track won’t deter Grahame Begg from kicking off Kyria’s autumn campaign in the Group Two Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.

While Begg would prefer not to start the filly first-up on wet ground he said she needed to run to stay on track for her longer-term goals.

“At the moment we’re committed to running,” Begg said.

“There’s no plan B unless they call the races off.

“She’s virtually got to start off this weekend, unfortunately on the wet which isn’t ideal.”

Kyria started favourite in the first juvenile race of the season and wasn’t disgraced when fifth to Hussousa in the Gimcrack Stakes on October 1.

In hindsight, Begg said the youngster had come to the end of her campaign by race day.

“She ran well. She’d probably just come to the end of it being her first preparation,” Begg said.

“She raced like a filly that’s probably going to get over a bit of ground.

“She had a good, long spell and she had plenty of time to get over it.

“She’s quite a strong filly.

“I think she’ll probably come into her own when she gets over 1400, 1600 metres.”

That points to Kyria heading more towards races like the Sires’ Produce (1400m) and Champagne Stakes (1600m), rather than the helter skelter of the Golden Slipper (1200m).

Not that Begg has ruled anything out.

“That’s the impression she is giving me at this stage,” Begg said.

“But I would still like to run her in some of those races like the Reisling, the Sweet Embrace. That’s why it’s imperative she starts this weekend.”

The Silver Slipper is shaping as an important guide to the autumn juvenile features.

Highly-rated youngsters Pierro, Faustus and Meidung are all scheduled to make their returns having scored impressive debut victories last year.

All are high up in TAB Sportsbet’s Golden Slipper market with Pierro on the fourth line of betting at $10 while Faustus and Meidung are $17 chances.

However John O’Shea, trainer of Faustus, has indicated his colt won’t run on Saturday if the track is rain-affected.

Hussousa will tackle the feature second-up following an encouraging third to Driefontein in the Widden Stakes last month while debutant Nediym’s Quest will also have admirers having shown ability at the barrier trials.

The well-bred Assassinate, an impressive winner of his only start at Wyong, adds further intrigue.

He has the right juvenile pedigree being by More Than Ready out of 1993 Blue Diamond winner Lady Jakeo.

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