Victorian horseman Henry Dwyer is confident the ‘fresh is best’ approach with mare Legless Veuve will put her in good stead for next month’s 2018 Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide.
Legless Veuve will take on a smart field of sprinting mares first-up in the 2018 Robert Sangster Stakes in early May at Morphettville. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The returning Pins four-year-old, formerly prepared by Stuart Webb, was impressive on Monday morning at the Cranbourne trials when finishing fifth to Cool Passion in her 990m hit-out with Craig Williams in the saddle.
It was the second trial of the month and second public appearance from the three-time winner since her sixth in the Group 3 Northwood Plume Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in mid-October last year.
“She’s going well this mare,” Dwyer told Racing Victoria post-trial on Monday.
“She’s had two quiet trials and today she had a solid hit-out and Craig just said she was off the bit at the stop of the straight when they sprinted but she was really good on the line.
“I must say she looks great and soundness is good so she is going to run well fresh and we’ll see how long we can sustain her preparation.”
At her best, Legless Veuve won the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) in September of 2016 before her dead last in the Group 1 over a mile behind Global Glamour.
She has won once since saluting in February last year in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) first-up when still with Webb.
Dwyer knows that Legless Veuve races best first-up and plans to capitalise on that taking her to Morphettville on May 5 for a shot at the Group 1 $1 million Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m).
“She came to me with a mandate to win the Sangster first-up,” Dwyer confirmed.
“She’s best fresh from all reports. She’s got issues which we are managing and think we’re on top of. We’re really happy with her soundness and her fitness is improving all the time.
“We needed a solid trial this morning and I think with one more gallop she’s going to be right where she needs to be for a big first-up run.”
Last Adelaide Autumn Racing Carnival the then three-year-old filly also contested the Robert Sangster Stakes and was far from disgraced running only three and a half-lengths back eighth to Secret Agenda.
Legless Veuve was a $31 roughie in Robert Sangster Stakes betting last year and was brave in defeat having drawn the extreme outside barrier 20 of 20 draw.
“She was unlucky in the race last year – probably finished midfield but didn’t have a lot of luck,” Dwyer said.
“It looks strong [this year’s edition] but she’s a high-class mare and she’s won Group races and all that is probably missing is some Group 1 black type.
“If she can fill a hole [running a place] she’s worth her weight in gold her being a nice outcross for a number of our stallions.”
Pre-field Robert Sangster Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au on this season’s edition of the weight-for-age sprint for fillies and mares have the local Lloyd Kennewell-trained Viddora as the $4 favourite.
The five-year-old daughter of I Am Invincible won the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) in Perth last December before success on the Gold Coast in January’s $1 million Magic Million Sprint (1200m).
She kicked off her 2018 campaign last weekend at her home Morphettville track running an eye-catching second to Dainty Tess in the Group 3 RN Irwin Stakes (1100m).
Head to Ladbrokes.com.au to check out the full Robert Sangster Stakes 2018 markets this autumn.
