Jockey James McDonald believes that exciting filly Bound For Earth will produce her best performances in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m), rather than the Group Thousand Guineas(1600m) at Caulfield on Wednesday.
Bound For Earth will face Guelph for the fourth time this preparation in the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield tomorrow. Photo by: Steve Hart
Bound For Earth upset Guelph to win the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on September 7 but McDonald does not believe the daughter of Northern Meteor will be able to replicate that feat tomorrow after being beaten by the champion filly by three lengths in both the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m).
Although he is not holding out much hope for another upset win, McDonald believes that Bound For Earth was unlucky not to finish closer to Guelph in the Flight Stakes and is confident that the three-year-old can fill the placings behind the odds-on favourite in the Thousand Guineas tomorrow.
“I think if we had the same run as Sensibility, following on the back of Guelph we would have run second in the Flight Stakes,” McDonald told TVN.
“We are going out to win tomorrow but you can’t be confident of beating Guelph, she is just so strong and powerful for a filly.
“If we can run second, it will be like winning because I know she will improve once she gets up over a longer journey.”
McDonald is confident that Bound For Earth will get the opportunity to shine in her own right in both the Wakeful Stakes at Flemington on November 2and the Crown Oaks at the same venue just five days later – races that Guelph is not expected to contest.
“I think the Wakeful is where you will see her best,” McDonald said.
“The Wakeful and then the Oaks, they look to be her races.
“Her coat has taken a long time to come good, she has looked very wooly in each run so far but she is starting to blossom.
“She relaxes so well and her last 200m is the best part of her races so that makes me think she will definitely stay.”
Bound For Earth ($13) is currently on the fourth line of Thousand Guineas betting markets behind Guelph ($1.40), May’s Dream ($8.50) and Gregers ($11).
