Rising Romance earned herself a spot in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) field when it was released on Tuesday morning, and trainer Donna Logan believes the four-year-old is fit enough to display her best possible form in the $3 million race this Saturday.
Rising Romance is in her best form for the Caulfield Cup according to trainer Donna Logan. Photo by Steve Hart.
The mare has yet to win from her three spring campaign starts after taking out the Group 1 ATC Oaks (2400m) ahead of Caulfield Cup rival Lucia Valentina back in autumn, but Logan isn’t concerned.
Rising Romance began her spring racing campaign in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m), which she missed out on a placing in by just half a length.
She didn’t fare well in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m), finishing end of the field, but turned it around her last time out in the Group 3 Craven Plate (2000m) scoring runner-up to Moriarty.
All three runs were in Sydney and Logan believes the trip to Melbourne will be more successful.
“We had always planned to have a nice soft campaign before the Caulfield Cup,” Logan told TVN.
“We figured there was plenty of time to take on the big guns and we would do so when we are at peak fitness.
“That is why I’ve kept her in Sydney and waited to bring her down, she is ready now.”
The four-year-old, who will run with James McDonald in the saddle, finished her 2014 Caulfield Cup preparations with a solid effort on a rain soaked Caulfield track Tuesday morning.
“It was very nice work considering we had quite a bit of rain overnight,” Logan said.
“We have been very fortunate with her campaign, she has stepped up every time we have asked her, I’m just worried about the draw now.
“She is really thriving, I don’t know whether it is the big yard to keep her happy but she is really loving it (in Melbourne).”
The 2014 Caulfield Cup barrier draw will be televised live Wednesday afternoon at 5:30pm (local time). Check back with races.com.au for the reveal.
Rising Romance is available at Caulfield Cup odds of $13 with Ladbrokes.com.au, which is led by Lucia Valentina ($4.60). However these prices could shorten or lengthen depending on the all-important barrier draw this afternoon.
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