Scarlett Lady To Resume On Saturday

Sunday, 21 August 2011 05:30

Cups expectations are high for Queensland Oaks winner Scarlett Lady but connections are realistic about her chances in New Zealand on Saturday.

Scarlett Lady, one of the leading contenders in early betting for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, resumes in Saturday's Group One Makfi Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Hastings which is also the carnival springbaord for Rosehill Guineas winner and Cox Plate contender Jimmy Choux.

"It is 1400 metres and if she can win at that distance I would be real happy because she's a stayer," trainer Graeme Rogerson said.

"We're looking towards the two Cups."

The winner of six of her 10 starts, Scarlett Lady will be ridden by champion apprentice James McDonald who is unbeaten on the daughter of Savabeel in six rides.

Scarlett Lady won the Listed Breeders Stakes (2000m) and Group Two Travis Stakes (2000m) in New Zealand in April before heading to Australia where she scored convincing wins in the Group Three Doomben Roses (2020m) and Group One Queensland Oaks (2400m).

"She's going well," McDonald said.

"It's only 1400 metres on Saturday so she'll get back and be running home hopefully.

"She looks good, she has put on a bit of weight and should run well fresh."

McDonald partnered Scarlett Lady in an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on August 13 when the four-year-old mare worked with sprinter Gaston.

The 19-year-old rider, who broke the New Zealand record for most wins in a season in 2010/11, was impressed with Scarlett Lady's hitout.

"She galloped up to expectations," McDonald said.

"The other horse was galloping better but he's an open-class sprinter and she didn't have blinkers on either. But she picked up well and she felt great."

Scarlett Lady's first spring start in Australia is scheduled to be the Group One Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 17.

Saturday's race, formerly the Mudgway Stakes, is also the spring kick-off point for Jimmy Choux who is being aimed at the Cox Plate by trainer John Bary.

Jimmy Choux missed a scheduled barrier trial last week due to the weather in New Zealand which Bary said made the four-year-old a little vulnerable first-up.

Picture: Ross Stevenson