Trainer Annabel Archibald isn’t certain where Thyme To Go ranks among her better two-year-olds, but she is confident the filly brings a unique physical presence to the stable.
The daughter of I Am Invincible is notably bigger than most of her peers and will make her race debut in Saturday’s $160,000 Kia Ora Yearlings @ MMGC Plate (1000m) at Randwick.
Despite her size, the $260,000 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale purchase has progressed smoothly toward raceday, and Archibald, who trains in partnership with husband Rob, is eager to see how she copes with the demands of race conditions.
“She’s very big – she’d be the biggest two-year-old in the stable – she’s quite mature looking,” Archibald told SENTrack.
“I think she’s going to be better over a little bit further, but I think this is a good starting point.
“She’s got a massive stride, so hopefully she can break well and have plenty of room.”
Thyme To Go is one of six debutants in the field, which also features Godolphin youngsters Outspan and Tatiana, along with expensive yearlings Excelluna ($500,000) and Sweet Intent ($475,000).
The highest-priced runner is $750,000 Magic Millions buy Knightsbridge, who has race experience after finishing fifth in the Group 3 Breeders Plate (1000m), while Final Gift has also raced, finishing seventh in the Max Lees Classic (900m).
Out of the More Than Ready mare Joy At Last from the famous Denise’s Joy family, Thyme To Go ran sixth in her first trial on December 8 before impressively winning her most recent hit-out by half a length.
“The horse that was second there in the trial, Knightsbridge, is in the field as well,” Archibald pointed out.
“She’s obviously a first starter and being a two-year-old it’s always a little bit of an unknown, but she is a lovely filly.”
Zac Lloyd will ride Thyme To Go from barrier one, with the filly sitting on the third line of betting behind Knightsbridge and Bjorn Baker-trained Profitabelle.
Early markets for the race can be compared across leading bookmakers via the Australian betting sites list.