Despite finishing second-last and nearly ten lengths off the winner in her most recent start, Grahame Begg found value in Biologics’ latest performance.
The Flemington run, on a track rated worse than Good for the first time, confirmed the Cranbourne trainer’s suspicions that the three-year-old I Am Invincible filly struggles on heavy ground.
The Pinecliff Racing-owned filly emerged from the 1200-metre contest on June 6 without any ill effects. Begg has nominated her for a 3YO fillies handicap at Caulfield this Saturday over the same distance, though her participation hinges entirely on the weather.
“She was going really well into the race and we thought she’d run really well, but the unknown was the ground,” Begg stated.
“Obviously they got rain on the day of the race and it deteriorated and she just wasn’t comfortable at all.”
“She’s nominated, so we’ll see what happens and what the week brings.”
The Caulfield track was a Soft 7 on Monday, but conditions are expected to improve by race day with minimal rain forecast for Melbourne this week.
If Biologics takes her place, it will be her third run back from a spell. Her disappointing Flemington effort followed a commanding first-up victory over 1100 metres in a fillies and mares benchmark 62 at Werribee.
Prior to that, she had a couple of unplaced runs in Stakes grade last spring against her own sex, with her only other outing being a debut win in a Pakenham maiden.
While Begg remains undecided on Biologics’ next move, another of his fillies, Takeko, is a confirmed starter.
The lightly-raced five-year-old mare is set to contest the $150,000 fillies and mares BM84 over 1100 metres, aiming to enhance her strong first-up record.
With two wins and a second from her three previous first-up starts, the daughter of Saxon Warrior showed promising signs for another sharp fresh performance when she finished second in a recent Pakenham jumpout.
Luke Cartwright, a 1.5kg claiming apprentice, rode Takeko in the jumpout and will be aboard on Saturday. Begg expressed his eagerness to see the mare return to the track for the first time since her Moonee Valley win on August 9.
“She’s a progressive mare, she’s coming off a bit of a layoff but she’s going well and she’ll come in very well at the weights after the claim,” Begg commented.
If Biologics accepts to race, the Caulfield 3YO fillies handicap will offer competitive racing odds. Explore the latest Australian betting sites for your wagers.