Despite drawing barrier 11 for Saturday’s Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield, jockey Michael Dee remains optimistic about his chances with Lindsay Park filly Regal Ambition.
Dee has partnered the daughter of Palace Piere in her two wins this preparation and is looking forward to contesting the $1 million feature race.
His initial impression of the filly came during a Pakenham jumpout on August 25. “The first time I sat on her was her second jump out on the Pakenham Synthetic and she gave me a really good feel that morning,” Dee stated.
He added, “She’s got a big action, she’s not a big, strong filly – she’s quite tall and leggy – and eventually she might strengthen up and fill out into a frame a little bit more, but now she’s got that lovely action and great turn of foot.
“Very early in the spring I probably didn’t know what she was capable of, but when she won at Sandown, that’s when I had something to really look forward to and then last start I thought she was the one that’s a chance to really boost my spring.”
Regal Ambition, racing in The Racing League’s Vic Husslers’ colours, surged to the top of the Guineas betting charts following her victory in the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1440m), where she defeated the previously favoured Pretty Baby. This win followed an impressive 1200m maiden victory at Sandown.
Her sole other start this year resulted in a second placing to Tolaga Bay over 1200m at Ballarat in February, with Lachlan Neindorf in the saddle.
On Tuesday morning, Regal Ambition was allocated barrier 11 in the 13-horse field. While Dee acknowledges her tendency to be slow away from the barriers in her jumpouts and recent starts, his primary focus is ensuring the filly receives an optimal run.
“The query is that she’s been slow away from the barriers at the jumpouts and her first two starts (this time in),” he explained. “If we get the right run, she should be right thereabouts.”
Regal Ambition was not the only contender to draw a wide gate, with Over The Bridge also facing an outside alley. Flight Stakes placegetter De Armas drew gate nine, while Saintly Dancer and Pretty Baby are expected to have their chances enhanced by drawing gates four and five respectively.
For those keen to get involved, consider exploring the available Australian betting sites to back Regal Ambition.