Fresh; Broadways Best will take on the best mares in the Ladyship Mile on March 3 first-up.
Broadways Best, Australia's best racemare is right on track to defend her title.
The brilliant mare is being deliberately set for a first-up tilt at the Gr.1 $200,000 Cordina Chickens Ladyship Mile at TABCORP Park, Menangle on March 3.
Trainer Shannon McLean has elected to bypass this Friday night's final lead-up event, the Gr.3 $40,000 Garrards Horse & Hound Robin Dundee in Sydney preferring to keep her fresh for the big prize in the coming weeks.
“I've decided to skip this week's race and keep her at home in Melbourne, I wouldn't forgive myself if I took her up there this week and then returned home with a virus or something untoward before our main goal – it's too big a risk.” McLean stated.
Broadways Best has not raced since finishing third behind Make Mine Cullen and Pacific Playgirl in the 'Tailamade Lombo' at TABCORP Park, Melton on December 2.
“Her form is great; at her most recent start she finished the race with a flat tyre and prior to that she was taking on the best open class horses available in Victoria like Bitobliss, Melpark Major and Decorated Jasper from bad barrier draws.
“Her victories in the Popular Alm Sprint and Golden Wattle Cup at the start of her latest campaign were fantastic and in fast times.
“Winning the Ladyship Mile this season is going to be difficult in comparison to last year considering the talent available but my mare has matured and I feel she is a lot stronger.”
McLean is mindful of the challenge he faces but the young mentor is confident in his own ability to prepare her to the minute but he is also safe in the knowledge of knowing how good his star pupil is when on the fresh side.
“Her fresh record is first class; early on in her career she faced quite a few niggling issues and I have found she seems so much better when racing on the fresh side now because she obviously doesn't worry about those little problems early in her campaigns.
“I trialled her last week at Melton and she was very sharp, we basically just followed them around but Chris (Alford – driver) said she felt very strong up the stretch.
“I will trial her again next week at Melton and that will be a lot more serious, I expect that trial will have her peaking for the Ladyship Mile.”
Connections of star Kiwi mares Carabella and Bettor Cover Lover have both indicated they will also miss next week's feature opting for a hit-run Australian mission.
The two brilliant daughters of boom sire Bettors Delight fought out the finish in the recent Gr.1 $100,000 PGG Wrightson NZ Breeders Stakes at Addington on February 4 with Carabella prevailing over her arch rival.
Carabella has defeated Bettor Cover Lover on five occasions from seven clashes.
Both mares will fly into Sydney the week of the Ladyship Mile.
