Trainer Ciaron Maher has revealed that rising filly Srikandi is a chance of running in the 2014 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on June 7.
Srikandi has had just five race starts since making her debut with a comfortable win in the Slickpix Plate (1000m) at Cranbourne on September 19, but has stamped herself as a contender at Group level with a string of impressive performances this preparation.
The Dubawi filly started her autumn campaign with a second place finish behind Pilly’s Wish in The Drain Man Handicap (1000m) at Moonee Valley on February 28 and earnt a trip to Brisbane with wins in the Brown’s Sawdust & Shavings Handicap (1200m) at Mornington on March 26 and the Carlton Draught Handicap (1200m) at Sandown on April 16.
Srikandi was given a maiden opportunity at Listed level in the Silk Stocking (1200m) at the Gold Coast on May 3 and led all the way to score a dominant two and a half lengths victory from La Pieta and Platinum Rocker.
Maher included Srikandi in the nominations for the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m), Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m) and Listed Juanmo Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday, but told TVN that the three-year-old will contest the Juanmo Stakes and remains a chance of making her Group 1 debut in the Stradbroke Handicap at the end of her 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival campaign.
“She is absolutely flying and every time I take her to the races she improves,” Maher said.
“She’ll run in the fillies and mares race here on Saturday then we’ll see what happens.
“You never know, three-year-olds like her can get into the race (Stradbroke) with a light weight.
“You have to aim high sometimes.
“We’ll just see what happens but she is certainly moving in the right direction.”
Srikandi is set to face a tough field in the Juanmo Stakes this weekend; with a number of talented fillies and mares including in the nominations for the Listed event.
Chris Waller-trained Arinosa and She’s Clean are both a chance of returning to the races in the Juanmo Stakes, while talented mare She Can Skate could make her first appearance at the races since she finished a disappointing tenth behind Flamberge in the East Malvern Bank Plate at the end of her 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign.
Maher has a strong hand at Doomben on Saturday; with tough gelding Mr O’Ceirin chasing his maiden win at Group 1 level in the Doomben Cup (2000m).