Following a disappointing two-start campaign in Sydney, trainer Grahame Begg has brought Cilacap back to Melbourne with an Adelaide target on the horizon.
Cilacap is set to appear at Caulfield this Saturday in the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m), prior to travelling to Adelaide for the Group 2 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville on April 25.
Begg secured victory in last year’s Queen Of The Turf Stakes with Zloties, which happened to be his initial success in Adelaide.
Cilacap had been scheduled for Adelaide last year targeting the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m), however a bone chip in her knee following a preparatory run sidelined her from that event.
The mare kicked off her preparation in December, enjoyed a brief spell, then ventured to Sydney, contesting the Millie Fox Stakes first-up at Rosehill on February 21, before settling midfield in the Group 1 Coolmore Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 14.
Begg initially planned to enter Cilacap in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick this Saturday.
“I thought she was better off coming back to Melbourne,” Begg said.
“So, she’ll run on Saturday and then she’ll go over to Adelaide to run in the Queen Of The South Stakes, the Group 2.
“The tracks up in Sydney, the two runs she had up there, they were too hard and she loves a bit of give in the ground.
“They had rain up there last weekend, but I had already brought her back to Victoria.”
Begg organised a light jump-out for Cilacap at Pakenham on March 31 to prepare her for the revised Saturday assignment.
He noted disappointment with the Caulfield track conditions from last week’s meeting, but the Thursday rain in Melbourne offered positive prospects for the stable.
Harry Coffey will partner Cilacap for the debut ride on Saturday, replacing originally selected in-form apprentice Logan Bates.
Bates copped a suspension last week due to careless riding.
“Jockeys are a premium on Saturday with Sydney being on and now Adelaide coming into the picture,” Begg said.
“There’s a huge shortage of jockeys. I had Logan Bates booked for both my horses and then he got suspended on Saturday.
“Harry has a wedding to go to on Saturday afternoon, but luckily, I’ve got him for both.”
Check out the latest Australian betting sites for the best racing odds ahead of Cilacap’s tilt at the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.