Beirut will be looking to bow out of racing a winner, Henry Dwyer’s in-form mare to have her career finale in Saturday’s Group 3 Spring Stakes (1200m).
The six-year-old daughter of Lonhro will be looking for her fifth-straight win – and her eighth overall at start number 30 – when she runs at Morphettville, with Dwyer opting to run in Adelaide after also accepting for the G3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.
Dwyer said while another win for his red-hot on-pacer would be ideal, top-three is the wider aim.
“The main aim is to get some black type with her. We’re not necessarily going there to win,” Dwyer said.
“She’ll be a good chance, but if she runs second or third, that’d be terrific, and the best chance of that would be in Adelaide.
“This will be the end of it for her. She’ll go to stud after Saturday, so that’s why it’s important to get some black type for her before it’s all over.”
Dwyer said racing around a bend in Adelaide would suit Beirut – who has led all the way in her four wins this preparation – more than the Flemington straight.
On Sunday, Caroun represents Dwyer’s stable in the Grand National Hurdle but has some mental hurdles to also overcome in the 3900m feature worth $200,000.
“He won his first jumps start for us at Hamilton terrifically,” Dwyer recounted.
“He just had a little mishap at Warrnambool, he was travelling really strongly but he was brought down by a horse that fell in front of him.
“I haven’t had a lot to do with jumpers, but I try and get inside their heads and see what happens.
“We took him to the races the other day [at Casterton], and he didn’t jump well at all. He never travelled comfortably … whether the mental effects from that incident meant he didn’t jump as well, or he didn’t want to be there, I don’t know.
“They also say Casterton can bring a few horses undone – it’s a bit tighter and the jumps come at them a bit quicker, so they don’t get as much time to settle and work out their rhythm.
“We’re hoping that’s the case and we go to the Grand National on Sunday, which was the target all along.”
A promising galloper of Dwyer’s, If Not Now When has been trying her hand at some jumping too – not that it was on the training schedule.
The spelling filly twice tried to escape her surroundings via an aerial route, and it has resulted in a minor setback after hurting her back leg.
Now mended, Dwyer said If Not Now When will be aimed towards the Group 3 Gucci Stakes – the Red Roses Stakes – at Flemington on Oaks Day after commencing pre-training on Monday.
WATCH: Hear from Dwyer
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