Trainer Grahame Begg acknowledges that stepping up from a maiden victory at Ballarat to a Stakes race at Flemington on Cox Plate Day is a significant undertaking.
However, this bold move reflects the trainer’s high opinion of Aroused, who is slated to compete in the Listed Crockett Stakes (1200m) this Saturday.
The daughter of Snitzel, Aroused, last month secured a maiden win over 1000m at Ballarat, leading from the front to win by three lengths.
Despite the considerable leap in class for Saturday’s race, Begg is confident the filly is capable of meeting the challenge.
“It’s pretty bold placement you could say, but she could not have been more impressive than what she was when she won her maiden,” Begg stated.
“There aren’t many races that we can run her in, and we feel that she will be very well suited up the straight.
“She jumps, she travels, she does whatever you want her to do, and she puts herself in a position where she can travel through her gears.”
Begg had such a high regard for the filly during her two-year-old season that he had intended to debut her in the Talindert Stakes at Flemington in February.
However, Aroused experienced shin soreness after a trial at Cranbourne the preceding month, leading to her being turned out for a break.
Upon her return during the winter period, Begg noted that the filly did not appear to be thriving, necessitating another spell in the paddock.
“She wasn’t doing well in the stable, so we put her out again for another four or five weeks, boxed her at night, cuddled her up, looked after her, and brought her back and went to Ballarat confident she could win there,” Begg explained.
“She might get exposed going up the straight for the first time through lack of experience, but we think she’s a pretty nice horse in the making.
“If she can run well on Saturday, there’s the Thoroughbred Club Stakes at Sandown on November 14.
“It’s a $1 million race for three-year-olds, so that would be the race she would go to, all being well, after Saturday and then we’d look to the autumn.”
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