Australasian Oaks runner-up Mating Call looks set to tackle the older mares in Saturday’s Listed Centaurea Stakes at Morphettville.
Trainer Dan Clarken reported that the filly has recovered well from last month’s Group 1 classic but won’t travel north for the Queensland Oaks.
He said the Centaurea does appear a logical option, especially given the filly is the highest rated horse among 15 entries for the 2000m race.
Emily Finnegan, who won the G3 Auraria Stakes on the Brazen Beau filly two starts ago is expected to get the ride back, with Jamie Melham committed to riding in Brisbane on Saturday.
“We don’t really want to go to Queensland or anything like that so we’ll put a nomination in (for the Centaurea) and see how it looks,” Clarken told Racing.com.
“The horse is terrific so there’s no reason why we shouldn’t go around.”
Of her Oaks run, Clarken said he, training partner Oopy McGilivray and owner Robert Hill-Smith were proud of her run behind Panova.
He said discussions about her likely spring goals will take place off the back of her autumn campaign, likely at Hill-Smith’s iconic Yalumba vineyard in the Barossa Valley.
“It took Waller and JMac to beat us but we’re very proud of her,” he said.
“I think Oopy and I will sit down for a steak and a bottle of his nice red up there (Yalumba) and we’ll mull the fat over.”
