2014 Tattersall’s Tiara Field: Boss to test Srikandi in gallop

Glen Boss will make a flying visit from Melbourne to Brisbane to give Srikandi a work-out on Tuesday which will determine whether the filly runs in the Group One Tattersall’s Tiara.

Srikandi has blossomed in Queensland, winning three stakes races before finishing third in the Stradbroke Handicap at her first foray into Group One company.

Srikandi - Glen Boss
Srikandi – Glen Boss

Trainer Ciaron Maher said she had come through the Stradbroke in fine order and he would make the decision after she galloped whether she lines up in Saturday’s fillies and mares race over the same 1400m course at Eagle Farm as the Stradbroke.

“I thought her run in the Stradbroke was great. She pulled up very bright and well,” Maher said.

“But we will let the horse tell us if she is right for the Tiara.”

Maher said if there was any suggestion the filly was at the end of her campaign she would be spelled with a spring campaign in mind.

“It is a Group One against fillies and mares so she deserves her chance,” he said.

There were 25 entries taken on Monday for the Tatt’s Tiara which has a capacity field of 18 for the final Group One race of the Australian season.

Heading the nominations is last year’s winner Red Tracer who will be joined by her Chris Waller-trained stablemates Catkins and She’s Clean.

Waller’s fellow Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse will have two runners, Cosmic Endeavour and Driefontein who finished first and second respectively in the Dane Ripper Stakes on June 7, the traditional lead-up to the Tiara.

Catkins missed the Dane Ripper after a mishap in her stall but Waller said she was over the problem and would be ready for the race.

Avoid Lightning, the winner of three of her five starts since joining the Les Bridge stable from Adelaide, is also entered with her trainer hoping for a wet track.

The five-year-old showed her superiority in heavy going at Randwick in the June Stakes (1100m) and Bridge said he would have no hesitation stepping her up in distance if the conditions were right.

Rain is forecast in Brisbane on Thursday and Friday.

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