Champion trainer Chris Waller watched Fangirl match motors with Royal Ascot-bound Joliestar in Rosehill jump out last week and knew she was back.
The seven-year-old star miler had a bone chip removal from a fetlock at the beginning of the year, which saw her miss the majority of the autumn carnival, before she returned with a midfield effort in the All Aged Stakes.
Waller decided to keep her fresh and target Saturday’s Kingsford Smith Cup, which will be the first time since she was a three-year-old that she hasn’t stepped up to mile second-up.
Fangirl’s options were limited at Group 1 level in Brisbane, meaning Waller eyed the 1300m test at Eagle Farm and prepared her that in mind.
“He had a jumpout with Joliestar last Tuesday and went with her, which is a great sign she is right on target,” Waller said.
“The All Aged run was good, and she is sharp and ready for the test on the weekend.”
The only previous time, Fangirl stayed at sprint trips second-up was where she won a Goulburn maiden as a spring three-year-old before being fifth in the Surround Stakes on very heavy track in the autumn.
She has never figured in the placings in five runs on heavy tracks and Waller will hope the track gets towards a good rating for Saturday.
Fangirl is likely to have another preparation in the spring with Waller impressed by her work recently.
“She has come back very well, and I think she will show that on the weekend,” Waller said. “She will probably be right for another preparation in spring, if she maintains the same form.”
The barrier draw did no favours for Fangirl or others at the top of the market.
James McDonald will need to be at his best from barrier 16 on Fangirl but out there with her are Jimmysstar in 15 with Napoleonic in gate 14, while King Of Roseau, who was well supported in pre-post betting, got the outside gate of 21.
Waller also put three-year-olds Wodeton and Sixties in the Kingsford Smith, but they couldn’t get a place in the final field and are emergencies.
