Canberra visitor to step up at Caulfield

Monday 1 July 2013, 5:26pm

The prospect of a relatively dry track and a suitable race have lured Canberra trainer Matthew Dale and the unbeaten filly Jacinta to Caulfield on Wednesday.

Dale had contemplated giving Jacinta a deserved break after she maintained her unbeaten record at the Sapphire Coast earlier this month.

"We've been struggling to find a firm surface in New South Wales but while we weren't originally planning to come to Melbourne with her this preparation we're going to make the trip rather than send her for a break," Dale said.

Jacinta has been burdened with topweight of 58.5kg in Wednesday's Martin Collins Australia Handicap (1400m) in which she will be ridden by Steven Arnold.

As well as a the prospect of earning her biggest cheque to date, Dale is viewing the race as part of the filly's education.

"She's been finding her feet and learning how to race so we are capitalising on that," he said.

"It will also be a good experience for her to race the other way."

Dale has been a regular visitor to Melbourne in recent years having made his most recent trip in February with the classy Unanimously who finished fifth in the Group One Oakleigh Plate.

Wednesday's meeting will also provide Caulfield trainer Luke Oliver the opportunity to learn more about his recently acquired sprinter Shadowfax who runs in the Programmed Property Services Handicap (1000m).

Formerly trained by Mark Kavanagh, Shadowfax had been due to run at Moonee Valley on Saturday, but Oliver chose the less formidable option for the gelding's second run for his new stable.

Shadowfax has struggled to find the form that has won him six races, but he meets only a moderate field on Wednesday.

Among his stiffest opposition is the high-speed country performer Last Gift who resumed on June 9 with an impressive Swan Hill win over 975m with 60kg on his back.

He drops to 54kg on Wednesday and is bound to be hard to catch.

– AAP

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