Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good.
A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday.
Daffy was sounded out about taking Southside Racing’s slot in the $1 million The Supernova (1400m) on Saturday but declined the offer to concentrate on VOBIS Gold Bullion instead.
“It was very enticing, and it was a bit of an honour to have been offered a slot, but ultimately, we weighed it up, and this race made better sense for her,” Daffy said.
“There’s going to be opportunities for her in lots of different areas, so we’ll just have to weigh them up and choose what’s best for her.”
With a slice of luck, Oh Too Good could be going into Saturday’s contest unbeaten this campaign.
The daughter of All Too Hard scored first-up at Geelong in October before protesting unsuccessfully when second in the Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final at Flemington on November 7 before returning to the winner’s list in Class 3 grade at Cranbourne on November 23.
Daffy said after Saturday’s outing the mare would be heading for a break to prepare for the autumn.
“She’ll go straight out on Sunday no matter what,” Daffy said.
“I think she probably deserves a chance to have a look at some better-quality races in the autumn, potentially even group races.
“We’ll spend the next little while having a bit of a look through and trying to come up with a program to target her for in the autumn.
“I haven’t got any idea at the moment, but it’s exciting to be able to try and have a look at and program something for her that will potentially suit.”
Daniel Stackhouse takes over in the saddle for the first time on Saturday, although he is not unfamiliar with the mare having trialled her before her first start back in February.
“He actually rode her in her very first jump out and it’s unfortunate he hasn’t ridden her all the way through,” Daffy said.
“There were some missed opportunities where he had other commitments early in the piece, but now he’s finally got the chance to get on her.
“I think it’s a really suitable race and that’s why we’ve gone this way being a VOBIS Gold horse.
“If I had to put a race on for her, its exactly the race that I’d program for her myself.
“I’m very happy with the race and I think she’ll acquit herself very well.”