A seven-day turnaround into the Craven Plate might not have been the initial strategy for Vivy Air, but her connections are optimistic it could prove successful.
The mare has only had one previous start on a short break, finishing second in last year’s Big Dance (1600m) before winning the Five Diamonds (1800m) just four days later.
In light of this, Ciaron Maher’s assistant trainer, Jo Gerard-Dubord, is confident about her competing in Saturday’s Craven Plate (1800m) at Randwick, following her placing in the Angst Stakes (1600m) at the same track last week.
“She has only backed up once in the past and won a Five Diamonds. She seems to have thrived,” Gerard-Dubord stated.
“It’s not a big field and it’s good prizemoney. She has come through the run really well and James (McDonald), when he got off her, felt she was looking for ground and she’ll get that. She will run a race.”
McDonald is scheduled to be in Melbourne on Saturday, riding Aeliana in the Cox Plate (2040m), so Regan Bayliss will take the reins on Vivy Air.
Stablemate Eliyass, a gelding, will be ridden by Tim Clark in the same race. Eliyass has been a model of consistency, winning the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) in August and securing third place behind Attrition and Lindermann in the Hill Stakes (1900m) in his last outing.
Lindermann is also set to be a rival in the Craven Plate, and Gerard-Dubord suggests Eliyass likely requires a rain-affected track to reverse the placings.
“Last start in the Hill Stakes he probably had his chance,” Gerard-Dubord commented.
“Things aren’t going to change a lot for him or Lindermann, but he hasn’t missed a beat, and we couldn’t be happier with him.
“If we could get a bit more give in the track, that would help him. I can’t fault the horse, but he probably needs to find that extra length to beat Lindermann.”
Lindermann was the $2.30 favourite on Friday, with Eliyass priced at $7.50 and Vivy Air at $9.
The Craven Plate looks a competitive affair, and you can check the latest racing odds at Australian betting sites.