The Caulfield trainer said Leotie must win impressively — and the Rosehill track must not be heavy.
Dwyer said was looking forward to the filly stepping up from her past two distances of 1100m to Saturday’s 1400m benchmark 78.
After coming from virtually last at her most recent start in the Quezette Stakes at Caulfield two weeks ago when she lost by a head to I Am A Star, Dwyer said Saturday’s small field of six can present some different scenarios.
“It’s a small field and probably a lack of tempo so there are a couple of little things against her, but on ability she should be better than them but it will be just how the race unfolds,” Dwyer said.
“There is one horse in the field that generally sort of leads and we are probably going to try to get some cover and might end up second last or last, but not a long way off them.”
Leotie was on the pace when she won her maiden at Sale over 11006m at her second last start, but Dwyer happy to see her settle at Caulfield as he eyes better races over further distances.
“She is in good order and I am looking forward to stepping up in distance,” Dwyer said.
“We had always been a little bit hesitant in stepping her up until she started to settle, but she certainly settled pretty well last time when there was a bit of speed on but this is 1100 up to 1400.”
If all goes to plan, Dwyer will head to the Golden Rose but said he’d stay at home if the track was heavy because of a fear of flattening her.
Dwyer said the VRC Oaks could be part of the three-year-old’s plans and hopefully she’d be suited by the 2500m distance,
“On breeding, she is by Darci Brahma who has a couple of Oaks winners, I think, and she is out of a High Chaparral mare, so she should get it (distance),” he
“Once again it’s contingent upon her settling.”
While Dwyer said the Oaks could be part of his plans, his mindful that the filly, which has only had three races, would have had a lot of racing by the Oaks date in November.
Her performances and condition will dictate whether he pushes ahead to the Oaks.
Article from Herald Sun