Webster Mare Villiers-bound

Thursday, 10 November 2011 04:46

A Brisbane winter carnival expedition proved a useful fact-finding mission for I Walk The Line's co-trainers Pat and Wayne Webster.

I Walk The Line had three starts in Queensland including a fourth to Divorces in the Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) and eighth to Scarlett Lady in the Queensland Oaks (2400m).

While the trip didn't yield any wins, it still proved valuable.

"We learned she is no more than a miler," Wayne Webster said.

"Her two wins have been over 1800 and 2020 metres but those races had no depth."

As a result, I Walk The Line will be aimed at the Group Two Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm in December.

She will take the next step on that path at Rosehill on Saturday in the Styletread.com.au Handicap (1400m).

Punters were unable to glean much from her first-up effort when she lost jockey Mitchell Bell, who took a tumble after copping a bad bump.

But Webster is confident the mare has come back in great order and says she has taken no harm from the mishap, apart from a couple of superficial scrapes.

"She is as forward as we can get her at this stage," Webster said.

"It should be right up her alley on Saturday, especially if there is some rain."

Jay Ford will ride I Walk The Line who has drawn the rails.

The four-year-old won her only other Rosehill start in December last year and wasn't far away in some strong races during the autumn.

She was fourth to subsequent Epsom Handicap placegetter Red Tracer in the Listed James HB Carr Stakes (1400m) in April, beaten just over two lengths, and was a similar margin from Divorces at the Gold Coast.

Webster said she was only a small mare but had strengthened considerably this campaign and he predicted a bright future.

"We haven't seen the best of I Walk The Line yet," he said.

"Some horses come out and do this and that as three-year-old fillies but then you never see them again.

"She wasn't quite there yet last preparation but she has strengthened in the hindquarter, she's thickened around the neck, her constitution is better.

"I think her next two preparations will be her best."

Webster also confirmed stablemate Thankgodyou'rehere had been sent for a spell after finishing runner-up to Woorim at Group Three level during the Flemington carnival.

He will be kept to 1400-metre races next campaign with Webster hopeful he can earn another trip to Brisbane for a shot at the Stradbroke Handicap in which he finished fifth this year.