The team behind Basilinna is targeting another opportunity in a ‘win and you’re in’ event at Mornington.

Twelve months ago, Basilinna secured a ballot waiver for the Melbourne Cup after triumphing in the Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington during May.

Emma-Lee and David Browne, the trainers, haven’t dismissed another crack at the Andrew Ramsden, though the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) takes precedence this Saturday.

A victory in the Mornington Cup grants the champion a ballot exemption for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) come October.

Basilinna has completed two starts this preparation, over 1800m and 2000m, with David Browne noting that Saturday’s 2400m distance suits the mare much more appropriately.

That said, Browne believes the mare might still require one additional outing to reach peak condition due to a bone chip that ended her previous spring series prematurely, preventing her participation in last year’s Melbourne Cup.

“She’s got a good soft draw so she should be able to sit in a good spot,” Browne said.

“Then we’ll need some luck getting out and hopefully there’s a bit of rain as that will help her out as well.

“A Soft 6 or 7, I would be happy, but if it stays a Soft 5, it’s still good for her.”

Browne remains pleased with Basilinna’s efforts in her pair of appearances this campaign, occasions when she was competing beyond her level.

On debut back, she finished at the tail in the Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield, then placed eighth in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 28.

“I thought her run in a high-pressure race, against very good company, was excellent last time,” Browne said.

“She beat the horses she needed to beat, and that’s all you can ask.

“She feels better than she ever has, so we’re pretty happy in that way but the hardest thing with her is she has been one run behind.

“When you take a chip out like we had to last year, that puts you behind because she was a bit burly to start with, so that is why we had to go to the Australian Cup to play a bit of catch up and get a run into her.

“The first two weren’t suitable races for her to go in, but I thought she did a good job.”

Plans beyond Saturday for Basilinna are yet to be finalised.

Options include the Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) on May 7 or the Listed Andrew Ramsden at Flemington on May 16.

“If she went to Warrnambool, that might pull her up for the campaign as it is a pretty quick back-up to Flemington,” Browne said.

“I think we’ll play that last one by ear, whether we do both or pop her out.”

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