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Racing

Sweet Embrace to have Spice, but possibly not a Star

Ciaron Maher will decide on race morning if Ciaron’s Star takes her place alongside stablemate Spicy Miss in the Sweet Embrace Stakes.

Ciaron’s Star.
Ciaron’s Star. Picture: Bradley Photos.

Track conditions will determine the strength of Ciaron's Maher's hand in the Sweet Embrace Stakes, with Pierro Plate winner Ciaron's Star unlikely to run if Randwick deteriorates.

While Spicy Miss is a definite starter in the Golden Slipper lead-up, Maher's assistant Johann Gerard-Dubord says they are on weather watch with her stablemate.

"We have the option to either go two weeks (into Saturday), and three weeks into the Slipper, or wait an extra week, which will give her three weeks from last start and two weeks into the Slipper," Gerard-Dubord said.

"She is by I Am Invincible. Usually, they don't tend to like those wet tracks.

"We've got a very open mind. If there was a bit of give, there would be no issue, but if the track was too wet, we'd be waiting an extra week."

There are no such reservations with Spicy Miss, despite her two runs being on good ground.

Runner-up in the Golden Gift on debut, she resumed with a placing behind Agrarian Girl over 1000m in the Lonhro Plate, and Gerard-Dubord expects the 1200m of Saturday's Sweet Embrace Stakes to be more to her liking.

Currently fifth in the Golden Slipper Order of Entry, the stable has had the luxury of planning her autumn campaign knowing she has sufficient prizemoney in the bank to earn a start in the juvenile feature.

"After the Gift, we knew we were a good chance to qualify for the Slipper, so working back from the Slipper, we have left plenty of improvement to come," Gerard-Dubord said.

"We've still got more to come, but three weeks between runs and stepping up to 1200 will suit her, and a bit of rain around wouldn't bother her.

"Obviously, we'd love to get a win on the board, and if she did that or ran very well, we'd progress to the Slipper."

 Queensland filly Pembrey is a clear cut $2.25 favourite for the Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m), with Spicy Miss at $6 and Ciaron's Star an $8.50 chance.


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