Gear changes for Black Caviar's sister

Friday 23 May 2014, 4:57pm

Black Caviar's half-sister Belle Couture will have two gear changes when she tries to bounce back from a last-start failure at Flemington.

The three-year-old was fractious in the barriers and jumped awkwardly in her most recent start at Flemington two weeks ago and then never threatened during the 1200-metre race, finishing last as the $6 favourite.

Trainer Danny O'Brien has opted to put blinkers on Belle Couture for Saturday's Trevor Clarke Handicap.

And the daughter of Redoute's Choice will also have a barrier blanket on in the gates, something used successfully with the filly's illustrious relations Black Caviar and All Too Hard.

A barrier blanket is used to keep horses calm in the starting stalls.

Black Caviar used a barrier blanket in her final 21 starts of her unbeaten 25-race career after tearing a muscle in her chest when jumping awkwardly in the Danehill Stakes in the spring of 2009.

Four-time Group One winner All Too Hard also had a barrier blanket in his final five starts, starting with the Caulfield Guineas in 2012, after the colt was slowly away in the George Main Stakes at his previous run.

Belle Couture had a jump-out at Flemington last week with blinkers on and the barrier blanket was also used.

A $2.6 million yearling purchase, Belle Couture was narrowly beaten in a Bendigo maiden on debut last December before resuming with a maiden win at Caulfield last month.

She shares the third line of betting at $8 behind I'm Fearsome ($3.20) and Good Music ($7.50).

– AAP

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