Trainer Lee Freedman is confident that Petition is ready to step up to black type company at her next start, but revealed that he is yet to settle of a specific target for the talented three-year-old.
Petition is yet to taste anything but success in 2017. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Petition returned to the track for a smart win in the Buxton Real Estate Maiden Plate (1225m) at Geelong on April 4th and franked her form when she delivered a smart field a near-two length defeat in Tuesday’s William Newton VC Handicap (1400m) at Flemington.
Freedman told Racing Victoria that the team has been thrilled with everything that the daughter of Foxwedge has managed to date and believes that she is ready to make a transition to black type racing; albeit in a direction that is yet to be confirmed.
“She’s shown us a lot of ability,” Freedman said.
“She didn’t have much luck her first preparation, but came back very well and had a little setback about six weeks ago, that’s why we’re running a bit late for autumn, but she showed from her maiden win she’d come on really good.
“She had the race won a long way out today. I think she’s a stakes filly.
“We’re looking at maybe Adelaide for the Guineas or the only other option for her at this stage of the year would be to go to Scone for that fillies and mares race, the Dark Jewel.
“That’s something we’ll work out in the next couple of weeks.”
Showing plenty of ability is a trial at Cranbourne in late 2016, Petition was kept away from the races as a two-year-old and debuted for a credible fourth in the Brief Affair 3YO Maiden Plate (1205m) at Sale in early September.
Progressing to third in the Book For Guineas Day Maiden (1400m) and second in the MyPunter.com Plate (1400m), the filly out of The Party Stand capped her maiden preparation third in the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes (1400m) at Sandown on November 12th.
Nominations for both the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m) and Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) are due by Monday May 8th, while a final field and barrier draw will be completed by Wednesday.
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