The disappointment of losing Malavio for the autumn could be softened for Steve Englebrecht with the reappearance of his stable star’s sibling She’s A Girl.
The three-year-old filly takes her first steps towards an autumn Classic target when she returns at Rosehill on Boxing Day.
Malavio would have been the likely favourite for Saturday’s Group Two Villiers Stakes but was ruled out of the race, and the autumn carnival, due to arthritic changes in a knee discovered after his Festival Stakes win.
She’s A Girl resumes in the Pure Romance Handicap (1400m) with her campaign aimed at the Group One Australian Oaks (2400m).
“She’s nothing like Malavio, she’s more of a staying type of filly,” Englebrecht said.
“I think the quicker we get her up to 2000 metres the better. But in saying that her two trial wins have been really sharp and I would expect her to run well first-up.
“All the jockeys that have ridden her have always said she was an Oaks filly.
“Whether she will stay a mile-and-a-half only time will tell. But she’s a big strong girl, she’s very relaxed and she gives the indication that she will.
“We’ve got to try to qualify her and there’s a lot of work to be done to get her there.”
She’s A Girl will be ridden by Nathan Berry who is also the regular partner for Malavio, winner of the Listed Civic Stakes and Listed Festival Stakes this year.