“But there is a lot of rain forecast and that is a concern, not only for her but a few others of ours on Saturday.”
While many of the stock of her sire Almanzor have been proficient on tracks with the sting out of them, all of Qali Al Farrasha’s best form has been on good tracks, so if the rain comes in the next 24 hours, her chances diminish.
Sterling Express is the horse to beat but the race has plenty of in-form horses that could test the favourite, especially as a wetter track throws barrier draw logic out of the window.
Bergerson says both the stable’s three-year-olds, Queen’s Evidence and Sibling Rivalry, are going well leading into tomorrow’s race, but they will need to be because the field is super strong.
“We probably weren’t expecting it to come up that strong with a lot of really nice horses in there.”
Egyptian Queen (R5, No 8) gets into tomorrow’s open 1200m well, with apprentice Hayley Hassman reducing the mare’s handicap to 53kg, although one of her key rivals, December, also drops from 59kg to 56kg with Sam McNab aboard.
December also has the advantage of having won on tracks rated both a Soft 7 and a Heavy 8, so if the rain comes, he can still perform near his best.
Meanwhile, the plans for three of the Walker/Bergerson stars from last Saturday’s Champions Day are now set in stone, with two pressing on but one pulling stumps.
“Lara Antipova is going to the Cranbourne barn and the race down the straight at Flemington in a few weeks is her most likely target,” says Bergerson.
“All going well, Belle Cheval is heading to the Vinery at Rosehill on March 28 but He Who Dares will go for a spell.
“He went three huge races behind Well Written in the last two months and deserves a break.
“I was talking to Opie [Bosson, jockey] and he thinks ultimately he might be a better straight-out sprinter but he has a lot of options next season.”
