Co-trainer Tom Dabernig has been pleased with the progression made by Rising Romance through her two competitive starts this time and is confident the Group 1 winning mare is ready for a return to winning form in Saturday’s 2016 Australian Cup (1600m) at Flemington.

Rising Romance will contest Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Cup at Flemington. Photo: Steve Hart

Rising Romance has been unlucky to draw outside in both starts so far; clearly needing the run when failing to produce anything in the final straight and eleventh in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) from alley 16 before placing sixth from barrier 10 in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) a fortnight ago.

Hopeful the Ekraar mare will be far-more fortunate in the draw this week, Dabernig told AAP the team could not be more pleased with her condition and are confident she will be right in the finish of the Australian Cup 2016.

“She keeps drawing wide and we have to keep going back,” Dabernig said.

“She’s got a very good record at Flemington and with those two runs underneath her and the 2000 metres she should be ready to do something.

“If we happened to get a little bit of give in the ground it would be ideal.

“She goes on any surface but I reckon if there’s a little bit of sting out of it, she’ll fly.”

Rising Romance has been a strong and consistent performer through her entire racing career since first appearing on course competitively for Dean and Donna Logan in 2013; posting five wins and nine minors through 26 starts.

Undoubtedly finding career-best form to date in 2014, Rising Romance finished second to Puccini in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) before crossing the ditch for fourth in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and success in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m).

Returning in spring for fourth in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m), the mare out of Post Romance finished second in the Group 3 Craven Plate (2000m) before running on for a close second to Japanese star Admire Rakti in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m); returning to the paddock after placing sixth in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m).

2016 Australia Cup nominations are due to be completed and released by midday today.

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