Pop Award is set to step back into Stakes company this Saturday, and co-trainer Lyn Tolson of the classy mare anticipates that the home track advantage will balance out the class rise.
The five-year-old mare lines up for her debut appearance at Mornington in the $200,000 Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m), which headlines the Mornington Cup program.
The mare got back to winning ways at Flemington on March 28 with victory in a 1100m mares’ handicap, and Tolson views this Saturday’s 1200m test as her prime opportunity for a feature triumph on her local circuit.
“Mornington is her home track, so if we could draw a gate it’d be good,” Tolson, who trains in partnership with daughter Leonie Proctor, said.
“From what we can read, it’s going to be a bit stronger Hareeba than we’ve had, but you can’t keep them in cotton wool all the time at home in their box all the time, can you?”
Potential opponents for Pop Award in the Hareeba Stakes include Half-brothers Desert Lightning and Oak Hill, Punch Lane, Corniche, Big Swinger, Recommendation and Rosberg, with the race drawing 27 entries.
The Shamus Award daughter pursues a second Listed victory after taking out the 1200m Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield last August.
That triumph stands as the highlight among her six victories from 13 outings.
She has raced on Soft or Heavy tracks only five times, securing three of those wins, and Tolson noted that expected showers on Thursday and Friday should aid her chances.
“She does appreciate a bit of give in the track and she did a lot of racing last prep, when she wasn’t going any good, on firmer going and she just likes the sting out,” Tolson said.
“So, hopefully Mornington is not too hard, but she’s an honest mare and she’s trained on well from her last race.”
The Hareeba Stakes serves as a trial for a possible journey to Adelaide for Pop Award, as Tolson eyes the $150,000 Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) on May 9 should she shine this weekend.
Explore the top Australian betting sites for the best Hareeba Stakes markets.