Filly Sequista has frequently been her own biggest obstacle, yet trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou are confident she possesses the talent to succeed at black-type level.
The three-year-old, who has already achieved stakes placings in the 2024 Inglis Nursery (1000m) and trailed closely behind the placegetters in the Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) for Tempted, gets another opportunity to enhance her record in the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m) at Scone this Saturday.
“She has (been unlucky) but in saying that a lot of it has been self-inflicted,” Alexiou said.
“She can get a high head carriage, and she likes a nice, flowing gallop, so a position three-wide will be a good thing for her if she can get in a nice spot and the track is playing that way.”
Alexiou remains unconcerned about the filly’s allocation of barrier 18, which could shift to 15 should emergencies fail to secure a run.
The trainer indicated the wide gate will not deter them from starting her at Scone, a venue long planned in their schedule.
“At this stage she will take her place. We’ve had the intent all preparation to run here first-up,” Alexiou said.
“She had a very solid trial the other day to make sure she was up to the mark, and there is only the one turn at Scone so hopefully the bad barrier isn’t the be-all, end-all.
“If things go the right way, she can run really well in a race like this.”
Tyler Schiller picks up the mount on Sequista, who opened at $12 on Friday.
No matter the outcome this weekend, Alexiou expects a successful preparation ahead for the filly, potentially progressing through Sydney grades or pursuing further black-type targets in Queensland.
“The prizemoney in Sydney is still very good and she is still way down in the benchmarks, she is only a 73 rater,” Alexiou said.
“But that’s our ambition, to get black-type with her, and we believe on her day she’s got that type of ability.
“It’s a good place to kick her off at Scone, and I’m sure she’s in for a good preparation whatever eventuates on Saturday.”
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