Chris Waller will rely on untapped filly Summer Flame to make her mark in the Denise’s Joy Stakes at Scone after top weight Amelita was ruled out due to a wide draw and a 59kg handicap.
Amelita, a Group 2 winner at Flemington during the spring, is expected to be saved for a race in Brisbane next week. Waller cited the combination of a big weight and wide draw as factors working against her chances.
“She’s got a big weight and a wide draw, two negatives,” Waller said.
Summer Flame, on the other hand, is on track for her NSW debut in Saturday’s 1100m feature. The filly, a winner at Mornington in January, has since placed in two Melbourne metropolitan races, and Waller has been pleased with her preparation.
Raced by Rosemont Stud and sired by Written Tycoon, Summer Flame will line up with a light weight and barrier three. Waller is confident she will perform well.
“She will run really well,” he said.
A full field of 16 plus two emergencies has been accepted for the race, with Victorian filly Soft Love the early favourite at $3.30. Summer Flame is a $26 chance, with Gerringong ($6) and Thames ($6.50) the other fillies at single-figure odds. Godolphin has dominated the race in recent years, winning the past three editions.