Trainer Grahame Begg will provide top apprentice jockey Tom Prebble with an excellent early-season chance this Saturday, booking him to ride Splash Back in the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington.
Begg has identified the 1200-metre contest as the ideal target for the exciting mare following her brilliant win over 1420m at Flemington on June 21, a performance in which Prebble was also aboard. The pair had combined successfully at Caulfield three weeks earlier as well.
The trainer said keeping Prebble on the Sandy McGregor-owned mare was an easy decision given the apprentice’s strong record on her.
“He’s won her last two starts and can ride 54kg, so it would be hard to take him off,” Begg said. “He’s also been putting in the work at home, riding her gallops and trialling her last week. It’s a well-earned opportunity for him.”
Prebble scored his first Black Type victory aboard outsider Title Fighter in the Listed Straight Six at Flemington in May and has had limited Group 3 experience, finishing 11th on Bine in the Mystic Journey Stakes earlier this year.
Splash Back is favourite in early markets for the $200,000 feature, which drew 13 entries including Joyful Fortune, Marble Nine, Bossy Nic, Group 2 winner Lady In Pink, French sprinter Cote Atlantique and Sydney up-and-comer King Of Roseau.
Begg said Splash Back had thrived since her last outing and felt the Aurie’s Star was perfectly suited for her running style.
“I looked at the race’s history and last year Right To Party won in a small field of eight,” Begg said. “Fillies get in well at the weights and the setup looks perfect for her. She’s proven around the circle at Flemington and should be able to sit just off the speed before finishing strongly.”