Ballarat trainer Thomas Carberry says it would be amazing if his sprinter Scuderia could pick up some Black Type in a Stakes race at Moonee Valley.
Scuderia runs at her favourite track on Saturday in the Listed Norman Carlyon Stakes (1000m), but Carberry is realistic enough to know the mare faces an uphill battle.
The now five-year-old is a five-time winner from 12 starts, four of which have been over the 955m course at Moonee Valley.
Scuderia resumed at The Valley on August 10, finishing fourth behind Mornington Glory over 1000m, her first run since winning over 955m in March.
“I thought first-up she was good,” Carberry said.
“She definitely tired late and that was to be expected. She usually races at the 955 (metres) there, but at the 1000 metres, she just did tire late.
“She’s going to be fitter for the run, and I think she will improve as the season goes on and, in the summer, I think that is when we’ll see her at her best.
“But you have to get there, and that is why she’s running on Saturday.”
Carberry said with Scuderia being an 83-rated galloper, there was not a lot of options available.
He said alternatives included a benchmark 78 contest at Sandown or an 84 race at Caulfield last week over 1100 (metres) which Carberry said were not suitable to her program.
But long-term, Carberry has his sights on further success over 955m at The Valley after Scuderia went within 0.06 seconds of running the fastest time for the trip last season.
“Unfortunately, I think she’s only eligible for the 84’s which is the first one and the last one, so that’s where we will go, otherwise we’ll have to see what suits her during the season,” Carberry said.
“If she was to pick up some Black Type on Saturday, that would be amazing, but it’s a strong field and we’ll have to be lucky with Mornington Glory, Bold Bastille and Griff in the race.
“They’re good horses, and the whole field is of a good standard.
“There aren’t many races around that suit her now, so we’ve gone this way and then the 955’s start at the end of next month.”