Horse Racing

Randwick-based horseman Anthony Freedman has an ambitious autumn aim for Sunday’s Canberra Guineas winner She Goes To Rio, the Captain Rio filly to target the 2012 Australian Oaks at Randwick in April.

Going out as the $4.60 second elect in the bookmaker.com.au markets at Canberra’s Thoroughbred Park on Sunday, She Goes To Rio relished her inside draw and won the $100,000 Listed Canberra Guineas (1400m).

She Goes To Rio has now won four of her five career starts for just under $120,000 in prize money.

Ridden by Peter Robol for the second time on the trot the progressive three-year-old was able to beat home the Peter Snowden-trained duo of Detours, race favourite at $3.50 finishing three quarters back, and Aberrant (426) who was a further half length away in third.

Cummings was quick to lay praise on She Goes To Rio after the victory, naming the $550,000 Group 1 AJC Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 21 as a Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival possibility.

While Sunday was the filly’s first look at 1400-metres, Cummings is confident she will continue to improve as she is stepped up in distance and doesn’t see the 2400-metres of the Australian Oaks 2012 as being out of her reach.

“She’s doing all the right things and just starting the fulfill the promise she showed in her first preparation,” Cummings said.

“Every time she has stepped out over a bit more ground she has been more impressive.

To get to the Australian Oaks She Goes To Rio was likely to next contest the $150,000 Group 3 Keith F Nolan Classic (1600m) at Kembla Grange on March 25, although Cummings hasn’t completely ruled out either the $175,000 Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) or possibly even the $600,000 Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) both running at Rosehill on March 24 for her next-up run.

“In all likelihood her next start will be in the Keith Nolan,” Cummings said.

“She’s a very progressive filly and if I get what I expected when I first saw her she’ll turn up on Oaks Day and be hard to beat.”

Another elite level aim for She Goes To Rio should all go to plan is the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m).

Also harbouring the belief that She Goes To Rio has what it takes to progressive into a Group 1 winning filly is jockey Robl who has ridden her to victory at her two most recent starts.

“She was very impressive and she’s a very, very good filly,” he said.

“The only time she has been beaten was first-up on a heavy track (to run a short-half-head second).

“I’m very keen to stick with her (throughout the autumn).

“She can go to the next level and continue to perform well.”

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2012 Canberra Guineas Results & Finishing Order

Canberra Race 5 – 11/03/2012