Srikandi was allocated barrier 20 when the 2015 Tattersall’s Tiara barrier draw was released this morning and trainer Ciaron Maher admits that the extreme outside draw is far for ideal for the Stradbroke Handicap winner in the Group 1 event at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Srikandi has the chance to record back-to-back Group 1 victories when she contests the 2015 Tattersall’s Tiara at the Gold Coast on Saturday. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Maher was very optimistic about the Tattersall’s Tiara chances of Srikandi when he appeared on Racing Ahead this morning, but his mood instantly took a turn for the worse when host Shane Anderson informed him about Srikandi’s horror barrier draw.
“That is disappointing with the barrier draw, but we can’t help that and all I can do is have her in good order,” Maher said after he took a moment to compose himself.
“We will line her up and see how we go.”
While Maher was not impressed with Srikandi’s Tattersall’s Tiara barrier draw, he is still very pleased with the condition of the Dubawi mare heading into the Group 1 event this weekend.
Srikandi returned to racing with a strong win in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at the Gold Coast on April 25, but she was beaten after being well-backed in both the Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on May 9 and the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) on May 23 before she produced the best performance of her career to date to take out the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on June 6.
Maher believes that Srikandi has taken improvement out of her Stradbroke Handicap victory and he remains confident that his star mare is a genuine winning chance in the 2015 Tattersall’s Tiara.
“I am really pleased,” Maher said.
“Her coat is really good and it has probably even come on a bit since the Stradbroke.
“Her work has been good and she hasn’t needed a hard gallop, she has more just ticked along.
“Her action is good and she looks like she is going to get a wet track up there, which she will be suited by.
“It is going to be quite a strong race with Najoom, Catkins and Hazard, but she is well.
“Hopefully they are getting out a bit off the track at that time.”
Srikandi is currently available at 2015 Stradbroke Handicap odds of $4.50 and he is on the third line of betting behind second emergency Najoom ($3.80) and perennial Group 1 bridesmaid Catkins ($4).
