Racing
Ruska Roma presses Guineas claims
Ruska Roma will chase a Stakes win when she steps out at Caulfield.
Trainer Grahame Begg has Group 1 aspirations for Ruska Roma who steps up to Stakes company at Caulfield for the first time.
The Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 18 is the target for Ruska Roma who contests the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) on Saturday.
Ruska Roma will be lining up for her third start on Saturday.
After one start in May, Ruska Roma resumed with a strong all-the-way at Seymour over 1200m in maiden company on a heavy track on August 31.
A daughter of Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth, Begg said Ruska Roma would appreciate the 1400m on Saturday and the extended rise to 1600m in future which may see the filly take in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on October 4.
"If she can race well on Saturday, she can go to the Edward Manifold then Thousand Guineas," Begg said.
Begg has been critical of the two Melbourne Racing Club lead-up races to the Thousand Guineas with the Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Sandown, holding Group 2 status, being run on Saturday week.
"If you waited and went to the Guineas Prelude, you're only having two runs and then going into the Thousand Guineas with three weeks between runs," Begg said.
"It's badly programmed. They ought to have one of them a bit earlier."
Begg said by electing to tackle Saturday's race, it gives an immature filly like Ruska Roma an important look at the Caulfield track.
He added getting onto firmer footing, despite the forecast rain, would be to the filly's advantage.
"The other day she led in a small field from an inside gate, she just rolled and was allowed to be comfortable in that heavy ground," Begg said.
"She's better on top of the ground, much better on drier ground.
"I've always had a good opinion of her and she's a beautiful filly, she's got a great way about her."
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