Consistent mare Arinosa is on track to make her debut at Group 1 level after she was included in the first acceptances for the Manikato Stakes (1200m).
Arinosa returned to the races with a career-best win in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m); storming home from the back of the field to beat stablemate Dystopia in a photo finish.
The daughter of Dash For Cash was the subject of a heavy betting plunge and started the Premiere Stakes at odds of $3.40 after being available at the lucrative odds of $8 earlier in the day; with a number of heavy bets placed on the mare in the lead-up to the race.
Trainer Chris Waller was thrilled with the victory and confirmed after the race that the six-year-old would likely head to the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on October 25.
“We will think about running her in the Manikato Stakes now,” Waller said.
“We might be setting the bar a bit high but she is a multiple Group 2 winner and the next step is to try to win a Group 1 if possible.
“Obviously we have to be realistic but she is a very good mare.”
Arinosa was one of only 21 horses that were included in the Manikato Stakes first acceptances; with the field set to be dominated by former Group 1 winners.
Samaready will have the opportunity to score back-to-back wins at the highest level of racing, after her dominant victory in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley last month, while Bel Sprinter, Moment Of Change, Platelet, Rebel Dane, Red Tracer and Shamexpress are all chasing another win at the highest level of racing.
Classy colt Zoustar, who recorded an ultra-impressive win in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday, is still a chance to contest the Group 1 event but is likely to be saved for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
Champion Hong Kong Sprinter Lucky Nine is the only internationally-trained horse in the first acceptances and has impressed since arriving at the International Equine Centre in Werribee just under a fortnight ago.
The Dubawi gelding is set to leave the quarantine facility next weekend to take part in a jump out down the Flemington straight in order to have him at peak fitness for the Manikato Stakes.
Other interesting first acceptors for the Group 1 sprint feature are: Buffering, Shamal Wind and Sessions, while Snitzerland and Epaulette were the highest profile withdrawals.