The recent deluge in Brisbane prompted Peter Snowden to alter Tuileries’ preparation for the Tattersall’s Tiara, though he remains confident that it will not impede her winning potential.
The four-year-old mare was initially slated to contest the Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) two weeks ago but was withdrawn due to the heavy track conditions. As such, Saturday’s Group 1 fillies and mares’ feature will be her first race in five weeks.
However, while Tuileries has not raced since achieving a gutsy first-up victory in the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone, where she carried the top weight of 59.5kg and navigated a wide barrier, Snowden is satisfied that a subsequent barrier trial has kept her in peak condition.
“I’m not too worried about it. She did trial the week before the Dane Ripper. It’s not as though she hasn’t been to the races or trials,” Snowden stated.
“She’s been up in Brisbane the past two weeks and did a strong bit of work on Tuesday morning when she went very well.
“I’m quietly confident she will run well, and the good draw (barrier three) will help.”
Tuileries has long been held in high regard by Snowden, enjoying a strong start to her career with wins in two of her first three starts.
As a daughter of middle-distance star So You Think, she has improved with age, establishing herself as a genuine black-type performer this season with two Group 3 wins and an equal number of stakes placings.
Snowden, who won the corresponding race with Tashi 12 months ago, believes Tuileries shares similarities with her former stablemate.
“They’re similar. Tashi had run about seven placing in stakes races and never won one, and that was her maiden black-type win,” he said.
“This filly has won a few stakes races, but it’s her first crack at a Group One.
“We have always liked her so it’s good to see her get to this sort of class now.”
Chad Schofield, who has been the jockey for Tuileries’ two stakes victories, will ride her in the Tiara.
In an open betting market, she is currently sharing the top line of betting at $6 with Splash Back from Victoria and Gerringong, trained by Chris and Corey Munce. Check out the latest racing odds at your preferred Australian betting sites.