Trainer Lee Curtis has confirmed that Lasqueti Spirit will play to her strengths and take up the running in Saturdayâs Group 1 The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens.
Lasqueti Spirit will be led to the pace in Saturday’s Group 1 The BMW at Rosehill. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Lasqueti Spirit has made thirteen appearances at the races since debuting during the winter of 2016, but the filly was undoubtedly at her best when jockey Brenton Avdulla led her to a resounding early lead in the Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m) in November; never appearing in doubt and winning the race by four lengths.
Curtis told AAP that Lasqueti Spirit lacks a turn of foot and that he will again instruct Avdulla to lead her to the pace in The BMW 2017.
“She has no tactical speed so we need to work on her positive points,” Curtis said.
“She will absolutely be going forward in a repeat of the Oaks tactics now that she is up to 2400 metres.
“It might take her a while to get to the front. She may not be in front early but she should be there by halfway.”
Resuming this time for tenth in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) on February 13th, the Beneteau mare ran an impressive second to Winx after leading in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) on February 25th and was last seen running seventh in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) a fortnight ago.
Confirming that the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) on Day 2 of The Championships remains her major campaign target, Curtis believes that Lasqueti Spirit could be better at Randwick than she is at Rosehill.
“That surprised us as it’s the wettest track she has been on,” Curtis said of her run in the Chipping Norton Stakes.
“I also have a theory, not proven yet, that she is a better horse at Randwick than she is at Rosehill which is exciting going to the Oaks.”
Lasqueti Spirit produced a number of competitive performances through the early stables of spring, but broke her maiden in her impressive Crown Oaks performance.
The BMW 2017 field is due to be completed and released by midday, today (Wednesday March 22nd).
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