Racing
Splash Back to chase Black Type in Adelaide
A trip to Adelaide fits in nicely for the program Grahame Begg has set mare Splash Back.
Grahame Begg will head to Adelaide with Splash Back in a bid to gain some Black Type ahead of some upcoming feature mares' races in Melbourne.
The Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville Parks on Saturday fits in nicely to the program Begg has mapped out for the mare.
A Flemington winner over 1400m in June, Splash Back was sent out favourite in the Group 3 Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on August 2, finishing fifth to King Of Rosseau.
Begg said his first Melbourne target with Splash Back was the Group 2 Let's Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 13.
He said a trip to Adelaide could have multiple benefits.
"It's very well-timed for her," Begg said.
"It's three weeks from the Aurie's Star and then it's three weeks to the Let's Elope.
"So, time wise, it's very good."
Begg said there was a lack of suitable races in Melbourne that fit into his planning with the mare with Moonee Valley racing on Saturday and again on September 6, with Caulfield scheduled to race on August 30.
"There's no races for her at Moonee Valley," Begg said.
"They only run 1200-metre races or mile races, and they don't suit.
"With Moonee Valley running two times coming up, there's virtually no races for her and then if I wanted to run her at Caulfield, there was only a benchmark race at 1400 (metres), an 84, and even getting the mares' allowance she would have had something like 59-½ kilos.
"It probably makes more sense to go over there and run her at 1400 metres, and it might give her the opportunity to get some cheap Black Type.
"It also fits her up perfectly for Flemington three weeks later.
"She's not the soundest horse and a trip away may just tighten her up a bit without having to put the work into her."
Jordan Childs will head to Adelaide on Saturday to ride the mare.
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