Flemington test for Cleo Cat

*Article by Just Horse Racing

Trainer Tom Dabernig is considering a start for Cleo Cat down the famous Flemington straight.

An 1100m Quality Handicap at Flemington on Saturday, a heat of the Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series, could be used to ascertain whether Cleo Cat handles the sometimes-difficult straight course.

Image Courtesy of Atkins Photography

Dabernig said if the mare was to handle the straight course it would open up options through July and August for the mare.

Options at Flemington include the Listed Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final (1200m) on July 5 and the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) on August 2.

But if Cleo Cat shows she is not at home on the straight course, Dabernig said she could revert to racing around a bend with the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) on July 12 and the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) two weeks later possible assignments.

Both those races are run at Caulfield.

“We’re looking as though we’ll go to Flemington to run in an 1100-metre open handicap on Saturday which will be a bit of a test run,” Dabernig said.

“There’s a Listed 1200-metre race two weeks later that may suit her, or if we see that she doesn’t handle the straight we just scrap that for the Sir John Monash Stakes and the Bletchingly Stakes.

But if she does, there is the Aurie’s Star up the straight as well.

There are plenty of options for her, but I just want to see her down the straight as it will open up a few doors if she goes well down there.”

Cleo Cat has won seven of her nine starts to date with a Group 3 win to her name having taken out the Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville last month.

One of the losses came at Geelong in January when the hot weather affected her performance while she was beaten by Niance at her most recent outing in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on May 31.

Dabernig said Cleo Cat would gallop on the grass at Warrnambool on Tuesday before a final decision is made on whether she runs at Flemington.