Realm Of Flowers will attempt to take the pressure of Anthony and Sam Freedman by winning the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington.
Victory in the 2800m race on Saturday provides the winner a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup at Flemington in November.
Realm Of Flowers has shown staying promise throughout her career and was successful in the Group 3 SA Fillies Classic (2500m) at Morphettville 12 months ago to conclude her first preparation.
Winless since, Realm Of Flowers has shown promise nonetheless, running second in the Sandown Cup (3200m) last spring, second in the Manion Cup at Rosehill before running fifth in the Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick at her most recent outing.
Brad Taylor, racing manager for the Freedman father and son training team, said Realm Of Flowers is able to tackle Saturday’s contest as she had not been overtaxed through her latest campaign.
“If she couldn’t win the Sydney Cup this was an option to try and qualify her for the Melbourne Cup,” Taylor said
“So, the race was in the back of our minds, hence why she hasn’t been over-raced through the preparation.
“She travelled back to Victoria in really good order and the gap between runs won’t be a problem. She’s maintained good fitness and is a clean-winded filly that doesn’t need a lot of work.
“And the rain that is forecast is a big positive for her.”
Taylor said if Realm Of Flowers did happen to win on Saturday it would afford the team the luxury of giving the mare a little longer in the paddock.
“That way we could follow a similar path to what she took to the Sydney Cup and she may only need two or three runs into the Cup,” Taylor said.
“Or we could even keep her in light work, on the walker, or something, but we’ll see how she comes through the race on Saturday first.”
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au