Following her win in at Moonee Valley a fortnight ago, Mick Price was open with his desire to find a way for Gumdrops to snare a win at the highest level as a three-year-old.
For now, though, that search is likely to be put on hold with a rival filly, Estriella, looking to have a stranglehold on the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) on April 27.
Training partners Price and Michael Kent Jnr are instead looking to the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m) on the same day, and they will use Saturday’s running on the Listed Redelva Stakes (1100m) as a useful stepping stone towards it.
Gumdrops, a daughter of Written Tycoon who was a $600,000 purchase at the 2022 Inglis Easter Sale, goes to Morphettville following her victory in the Group 3 Don Casboult Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on March 23.
“1100 (metres) is as short as she wants it, but she is drawn to get a nice run,” Kent Jnr said.
“All going well the plan would be to run well there, come home and then go back across.
“We have her entered her for the Sangster but she’ll more likely run in the Tobin Bronze Stakes the same day (as) Estriella looks hard to beat.
“But we are really happy with Gumdrops and she is going great.”
A more immediate challenge comes from the $2.50 favourite, the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Austmarr, who made a strong impression when winning the Listed Manihi Classic (1100m) on March 11.
Gumdrops is in the market with betting apps at $8.50 with the stable are looking for consecutive Redelva Stakes wins after I’mlovin’ya won in 2023.