Michael Dee is maintaining a positive outlook for this Saturday’s Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield, even after drawing a wide barrier in gate 11.
He will partner the Lindsay Park trained filly Regal Ambition, a horse he has guided to two victories from two starts this campaign, in the $1 million Group 1 race.
Dee first encountered the daughter of Palace Piere in a jumpout at Pakenham on August 25, and from that moment, he felt she possessed the qualities to compete at a high level. “The first time I sat on her was her second jump out on the Pakenham Synthetic and she gave me a really good feel that morning,” he said.
He described her physique and racing style: “She’s got a big action, she’s not a big, strong filly – she’s quite tall and leggy – and eventually she might strengthen up and fill out into a frame a little bit more, but now she’s got that lovely action and great turn of foot.
“Very early in the spring I probably didn’t know what she was capable of, but when she won at Sandown, that’s when I had something to really look forward to and then last start I thought she was the one that’s a chance to really boost my spring.”
Regal Ambition, representing The Racing League’s Vic Husslers’ colours, became the Guineas favourite after her Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1440m) win, where she defeated the previously fancied Pretty Baby. This followed a strong 1200m maiden win at Sandown.
Her only other outing was a second place behind Tolaga Bay in a 1200m Ballarat maiden back in February, with Lachlan Neindorf as the jockey.
Regal Ambition was handed barrier 11 in the field of 13 on Tuesday. While Dee hopes for a better start, his primary focus is securing the right run for the filly, acknowledging her tardiness away from the barriers.
“The query is that she’s been slow away from the barriers at the jumpouts and her first two starts (this time in),” he noted. “If we get the right run, she should be right thereabouts.”
Other leading contenders also drew wide, including Over The Bridge. De Armas, a Flight Stakes placegetter, drew nine, while Saintly Dancer and Pretty Baby drew gates four and five respectively, potentially improving their chances.
For those interested in the race, explore the Australian betting sites for the best racing odds.
