BRETT Cavanough is keeping the faith in his promising filly Scatcat as she chases her first city success at Flemington on Saturday.
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All of Scatcat’s four previous runs have been in city company, with a third placing at Sandown two starts back her best performance.
The three-year-old filly finished sixth down the Flemington straight at her most recent start.
Cavanough said he had removed the blinkers and added winkers ahead of Scatcat’s second try there over 1200 metres.
“I’m starting to second guess myself as to what her best distance actually is,” Cavanough said.
“Some good judges tell me she is looking for 1400 metres or even a mile.
“But I ran her over a mile in the Wodonga Cup and I won’t do that again.
“I thought she went fair down the straight last start so I have removed the blinkers and added winkers just to open her up a bit.
“She looks pretty well graded in the race and now has the experience of running down the straight under her belt.
“We won’t run and hide from that — we’ll give her another go and see if she is better for the experience.”
Scatcat is rated a $13 chance in TAB fixed-odds markets, with West Australian apprentice Aaron Mitchell to have his first ride on the filly.
“Aaron can use the whip in both hands, claims three kilograms and a few trainers I know in Perth said he was showing a lot of promise from limited opportunities,” he said.
Stablemates Niblick and Price Of Glory will also contest races at Flemington, with Linda Meech booked to ride both gallopers.
Cavanough is hoping the drop back in distance to 1400 metres can help last year’s Albury Gold Cup winner Niblick to recapture his winning form.
“The plan is to ride him midfield or slightly worse and hope he charges late,” he said.
“Whether it comes off or not I’m not too sure, but that’s what we’re thinking leading into the race.”
Cavanough said Price Of Glory could target the Queensland winter carnival if he performed to expectations.
“A Caloundra Cup start could be on the radar, otherwise there are plenty of winter staying races in Melbourne.”