Awapuni mare Daffodil will take plenty of improvement out of her run for fourth in the group one Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday as she heads towards the BMW at Rosehill on April 3, trainer Kevin Gray says.
Ridden more forward than planned, Daffodil was in the fight forsecond or third in the 2000m Ranvet at the 100m before peaking on her run.
"Hugh Bowman rode her differently to what we thought, but he said he would ride her more quietly back in the BMW over 2400m," said Gray yesterday.
Bowman would not have wanted to give favourite Theseo too big a start in the race on Saturday, but as it was the Gai Waterhouse-trained star galloper proved too tough for her rivals, with Rangirangdoo unable to catch him and Speed Gifted just knocking Daffodil out of third placing late in the piece.
"It was her first run since her third in the Otaki-Maori Mile three weeks ago, so I was very pleased with the effort," Gray said. "It was a very hot day and she handled it.
"She did not leave an oat last night and is happy this morning, so she should be in good shape for the BMW."
Bowman indicated he would stick with the mare for the race - hardly a surprise after the duo claimed the AJC Oaks over 2400m last autumn.
Bowman was suspended for seven meetings for his ride in the Phar Lap Stakes yesterday, but will be back in time for the BMW and the Golden Slipper on the same day, when he will partner Solar Charged.
The Mike Moroney-trained Divine Rebel finished sixth in the Ranvet.
The other New Zealander running at Rosehill on Saturday, the Bryce Revell-trained Ekstreme, finished 14th in the group one Coolmore Classic (1500m).
"She got run over by them and would prefer more ground now," Revell said.
He had planned to run her in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes and then the Doncaster Handicap, but will now look at the Neville Sellwood Stakes over the longer 1900m at Canterbury on April 5.
"We would like to see some rain for her," Revell said.
