Melbourne trainer Ciaron Maher is confident that his stable star Azkadellia will bounce back from her Stradbroke Handicap failure when she lines up in the Group 1 $500,000 Sky Racing Tattersall’s Club Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Azkadellia, above, can bounce back in the Tattersall’s Club Tiara at Eagle Farm. Photo by Steve Hart.
Azkadellia was sent out as the favourite for the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 11 but after getting stuck in on the fence in the worse part of the track, struggled to make any impression in the straight and wound up in tenth spot behind Under The Louvre.
But Maher is willing to forget the run and gave her the all clear this morning to take her place against the fillies and mares in the last Group 1 of the 2015 – 2016 racing season.
Maher has kept Azkadellia on the fresh side since her last start failure when she was caught in the wrong part of the new Eagle Farm track and had her back at the track last Saturday morning after spending several days doing beach work.
“Her fitness is quite good so since the race I have just kept her nice and fresh,” Maher said.
“She has been down the beach a few times. She did a little bit of striding work on Saturday and this morning she just worked over a 1000m and strode down the last two (400m) in a tick over 24s.”
Maher is expecting Azkadellia to find her best form back against the fillies and mares and repeat her winning effort that she showed when she beat Heavens Away and Noble Protector in the Group 1 $1m The Coolmore Legacy Stakes (Queen Of The Turf Stakes) (1600m) at Randwick on day two of ‘The Championships’ on April 9.
“Back to mares’ grade on that big open track, it allows her to get home. At this stage there looks to be a little bit of speed,” Maher said.
“Providing she bounces back, she has certainly shown me that she is pretty right to go and it looks a nice race for her.”
Maher has no particular preferences in what barrier Azkadellia draws on Wednesday when the final field is declared and said that she will settle back in the field if she draws an inside gate or an outside one.
“It doesn’t really matter as long as where the track is racing best she makes a path towards there because she generally gets back in her races and you can basically come wherever you need to,” Maher said.
“Barriers are no real concerns, she will probably end up in the same position anyway.”
“I think the track is in great order providing you find the right path on race day.”
Melbourne jockey Nick Hall will take over from Damien Oliver who rode the mare in the Stradbroke Handicap.
Ladbrokes.com.au have installed Azkadellia as the $2.50 favourite for the Tattersall’s Club Tiara ahead of the Chris Waller trained filly Tsaritsa at $5 and Kris Lees’ in-form mare Danish Twist at $7.50.
Early market order for the Tattersall’s Club Tiara at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.50 Azkadellia, $5 Tsaritsa, $7.50 Danish Twist, $9 Griante, $10 Cradle Me, Precious Gem, $15 Artistry, Scarlet Billows, Sold For Song, $21 Blueberry Hill, Echo Gal, $26 Telepathic, $31 Divine Centuri, Jessy Belle, My Popette, Press Report, $41 Miss Cover Girl, Onemorezetta, Palazzo Pubblico, Sultry Feeling, $81 Electric Power, $101 Beatniks, Sagaronne, $201 Raffinato.
