More Joyous may be the odds-on favourite to win her third consecutive Queen Of The Turf Stakes in 2013 this Saturday but rival trainer Chris Waller is keen to take on the mighty mare with his in-form galloper Red Tracer.
After a game second to her younger, fitter stablemate Pierro in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) first-up, six-year-old More Than Ready mare More Joyous looks on track to defend her two titles in the $400,000 Group 1 Inglis Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1500m) on Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill.
Drawn on the rails in barrier one the eight-time Group 1 champion is at a short $1.40 in the latest Queen Of The Turf Stakes odds and effectively looks unbeatable.
Still, Waller would like to take his shot.
Sydney’s ace trainer will saddle-up his five-year-old Dane Shadow mare Red Tracer in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes field from barrier 10, the runner earning her shot in the race after a super last start effort over the same track and distance.
Third-up for the season Red Tracer came within a short half-head of Appearance, also backing up in Saturday’s Queen Of The Turf as a $10 chance, in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic and while Waller’s aware this weekend will be harder he’s still hopeful she can score an elite level of her own.
“This is tougher and she jumps in weight but it is worth having a go at More Joyous while she is in from,” Waller said.
“She is probably better placed in handicaps, but I think 1500 metres is the right distance for her to be taking on these top fillies [and mares]. It is about trying to get that Group 1 win for her.”
Two starts back Red Tracer showed her liking for the wet and Rosehill winning the Group 3 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) and should the rain fall in Sydney ahead of the weekend it would further improve her chances.
The Mille Fox was her third win from seven starts at the track, Red Tracer also runner two seconds at Rosehill, and she is undefeated on Heavy ground (5-5-0-0) making her a nice Each Way chance in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes at her current price of $8.50 as the only other single-figure fancy aside from More Joyous.
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