A Group 1 win on the CV of Turaath is what trainer Maddie Raymond is looking for.
It is for that reason Turaath is heading to the C F Orr Stakes (1400m) at Sandown on Saturday when the mare could run the following week in the Group 3 Tony Bourke Memorial (1400m) at Flemington.
Turaath has an excellent 1400m record, winning five of her nine starts, but with only two 1400m Group 1s in Melbourne during the autumn, Raymond reasoned Saturday’s race was the logical choice.
It will also determine whether Turaath heads to the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Sandown on February 25 or returns to mare’s grade looking for another win.
After a disappointing spring which resulted in one win in a Listed race at Geelong from only three outings, Turaath chased home the inform Jigsaw in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on January 28.
Raymond is banking on fitness derived from that run and the rise in trip being pivotal on Saturday.
“I thought it was a huge effort,” Raymond told RSN.
“I was pleasantly surprised, fitness wise, how she handled her first-up run, considering she went in there without a jump-out.
“We knew we had her quite forward, but they generally need that first run, but she came out of it really well and will improve off it.
“It’s definitely the best field that she’s met, but I think we’ve got her going the best she can. I think she will have to be at her peak to competitive against those sorts of horses.
“The thing we have on our side is we have had a run while quite a few of the horses will be first-up.
“It looks like there will be a bit of genuine speed, which suits us. She’s got a hi