VRC Oaks winner Personal could not be in better shape as she chases a second Group 1 victory in the Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill.
Tom Dabernig, who trains Personal in partnership with his cousin Ben Hayes, said Personal was bursting out of her skin ahead of Saturday’s 2000m race for three-year-old fillies.
Personal has had two starts since winning the VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington last November, finishing second in the Group 3 Vanity (1400m) before a last start third in the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1600m) on March 6.
“She ran in a Golden Slipper and maybe she might not be as effective up there, but if this race was in Melbourne, I’d be very, confident,” Dabernig said.
Leading Sydney jockey James Mcdonald replaces Oaks winning jockey Damien Oliver on Personal.
Dabernig said it was the call of the Coolmore team.
“Coolmore have been delighted with what Damien has done, it’s just that when in Sydney they prefer a Sydney jockey,” Dabernig said.
“It was not our call, but I’m happy to support what they want to do, but if it was (our call) I probably would have preferred Damien, only because he knows her so well.
“But they’re both top of the tree jockeys.”
Drawing the outside barrier in the 10-horse field Dabernig said was awkward, especially with the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on April 17 looming.
“I think we’ll give McDonald an open book and let him work it out,” Dabernig said.
“There’s a temptation with the Oaks in two weeks to ride her quietly.
“But she’s in such good shape and capable of winning, if we do have to roll forward and sit outside the lead, I’m not against that, especially if that gives her the best chance of winning.”
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au