With racing retirement looming and a date in the breeding barn with I Am Invincible, the connections of Hypothetical are chasing a Group 1 win.
Those connections, along with trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman, would like to see that come on Saturday in the William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
Hypothetical went close at her most recent start, beaten in a photo by Queman, an opponent on Saturday, in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m).
Now the mare must step to 1200m in her bid to win at the highest level, a fact that is not lost on the Freedman’s racing manager, Brad Taylor.
“She’s won at 1200 metres before on a heavy track, albeit in much softer grade, but it maps well to map out the rest of the carnival for her,” Taylor said.
“There was The Galaxy (also on Saturday, at Rosehill) there for her, but it looks a really hot Galaxy this year.
“We just thought with the small field and hopefully not too much speed, she might be able to dictate over the 1200 metres a little bit.
“Imperatriz is going to be hard to beat, but she (Hypothetical) is a Black Type winner and it’s all about adding to her record.
“She’s going to stud this year, to I Am Invincible, so we’ve got to try and steal a Group 1 win somewhere.”
Hypothetical has raced once previously at Moonee Valley, chasing home Acromantula in the Norman Carlyon Stakes (1000m) last August.
Taylor said Hypothetical was brave at her last start in the Oakleigh Plate and may appreciate the slightly slower tempo of 1200m.
“She is a fast, short-course horse, but she has won over 1200 metres and that slower tempo might just suit her that little bit better,” Taylor said.
“If it’s playing on speed, like it can sometimes, then that’s her chance.”
After Saturday, Taylor said the plan was to head to Adelaide with Hypothetical where the mare is likely to run in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on April 27 and then potentially on towards Queensland.
“We’ll space her races a little bit, but we’ll try and pinch one, somewhere.”