Flemington trainer Nigel Blackiston will let the weather determine if his Group 1 winner Suavito returns to Sydney for another Autumn Carnival Campaign.
Suavtio was in career best form during the 2015 Melbourne Autumn Carnival when Blackiston took her to Sydney to run in the Group 1 $3m The Star 150th Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on the first day of ‘The Championships’.
Doncaster Day had been transferred to the Monday after Randwick was water logged on the Saturday but the track was still rain affected and Suavito failed to handle the soft track and finished seventh to the Chris Waller trained Kermadec.
“It depends on the weather,” Blackiston told racing.com.
“We went up last year, and were confident in the Doncaster.
“It was so heavy, she tried very hard to finish seventh, but she never handled the track.
Blackiston said that he would be keen to return to Sydney for another attempt at the Doncaster Mile but wouldn’t make the trip if the rain arrived again.
“We’ll just have to keep an eye on what the weather does, if we can get a half-decent autumn in Sydney, it’ll definitely be on the cards,” Blackiston said.
Suavito has just returned to work following an enforced lay off as a result of a bone chip operation on her knee.
Blackiston said that Suavtio spelled well and he is happy with the way she has return and is hoping she can repeat the efforts of last Autumn when she was able win her first Group 1 when she beat Smokin’ Joey and Dissident in the $400,000 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 28.
Suavito then went on to win the Group 2 $200,000 Incognitus Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington two weeks later.
“She’s going very well, she’s come back in great order,” Blackiston said.
“She had a lengthy spell through an enforced injury. As far as injuries go, it was a very small bone chip removed from her right knee.
“Looking at her, it’s probably the best thing because she had a good, strong campaign last year, and she’s come back bigger and stronger.”
Suavito is the winner of seven of her eighteen starts with prizemoney earnings just below the $1m mark at $952,550.