For a last-start Group 1 champion, the Group 3 JRA Plate could come across as an unassuming Australian venture, but Roger James outlines various benefits positioning it as suitable for She’s A Dealer.
The mare by Ace High ends her preparation in Randwick’s $250,000 feature.
Her most recent victory came in the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes on March 28, and James views the 2000-metre test as the most appropriate for her current campaign phase.
“She’s done well this campaign and she’s crying out to go 2000 metres,” James said.
“There was an option here (New Zealand), but we thought the Australian Black Type had more of an appeal and the timing was right, so here she is.”
This will be the seventh leg of a campaign for She’s A Dealer that kicked off with a 1400m benchmark 75 win at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day in the JRA Plate context.
Subsequent results included a 1500m score at Te Rapa, then Group races only: fourth in Group 2 Rich Hill Mile and Group 3 Aotearoa Classic, second over 1600m in Group 2 Cuddle Stakes, culminating in Group 1 glory.
James is relaxed about the solitary Australian run, given her travels last year with a Sydney appearance before fifth in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m).
“She’s very accomplished with her travelling,” he said.
“She arrived over late Monday night, she travelled very well and settled in very quickly.”
Partnered with Robert Wellwood, James foresees frequent Australian trips ahead and expects the Saturday encounter to clarify her standing.
“I think we will be visiting Australia a bit more regularly with her from here on in,” he said.
“We’ll just put our toe in the water this prep and then she’ll have a spell and we’ll plan out from the result of Saturday as to where we head in the spring and summer of next season.
“I don’t doubt her ability. She’s a good mare.”
Jordan Childs partners She’s A Dealer in the 14-horse JRA Plate from barrier 14, which may adjust to 12 without the emergencies.
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