An off-the-cuff remark could lead to iron filly Away Game becoming the first juvenile to beat older horses at Group 1 level for more than 40 years.
Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have announced plans to set Away Game for the $400,000 TAB Robert Sangster Classic (1200m) at Morphettville in Adelaide on May 2.
Away Game has been in full work since last November, racing at least once a month and scoring four wins from seven starts — including the Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes at Randwick last Saturday.
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Away Game continues to thrive with regular racing and will head to Adelaide for the South Australian carnival.Source:Getty Images
She also won the Magic Millions and ran second in the Golden Slipper, earning more than $2.7 million prizemoney.
But Away Game pulled up so well after her Randwick win that Maher consulted his Sydney stable manager, Annabel Neasham, about future race plans for the filly.
“We thought about the J.J. Atkins Stakes in Brisbane which is back to 1400m but that is still eight weeks away,’’ Neasham said.
“So, I had another look at the calendar and half joked with Ciaron: ‘What about the Robert Sangster Stakes?’
Trainer Ciaron MaherSource:AAP
“We thought about it and decided it was a good option for the filly.’’
Maher and Eustace started two-year-old colt Dubious against the older sprinters in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Doomben last year for a close fifth to The Bostonian.
No two-year-old has won at Group 1 level against older rivals since Desirable held off Leica Show to win the 1976 Lightning Stakes at Flemington.
“Away Game will carry only 47kg and Dean Holland will go over to Adelaide and ride the filly,’’ Neasham said.
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Originally published asSometimes playing away isn’t so bad
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