Glen Thompson believes Certain Rise has the ability to claim victory in Saturday’s Peter Le Grand Stakes at Caulfield, but he remains uncertain whether her preparation has been ideal given the circumstances.
The Written Tycoon filly has been kept fresh for the $200,000 Group 3 event over 1100 metres, a plan Thompson was comfortable with until she landed barrier 10 in the draw.
With the scratching of Tonkin, her starting position has improved slightly to barrier nine. While still a challenge, Thompson is reassured by the presence of Melbourne’s top jockey, Blake Shinn, in the saddle.
“We’ve just given her the one jumpout heading into Saturday, she’s pretty close to the mark, but there’s still got good improvement there going forward,” Thompson said.
“She’s drawn terribly, which makes it a little bit tricky first-up, but it is Caulfield (with) only one bend and we’ve got Blake on, so he’ll work it out.
“It would have been nice if we drew soft and could have got a lovely but it’s just a matter of what sort of work she’s got to do early as to whether she just blows out a little bit late.”
Certain Rise, donning the Yulong colours, is aiming to enhance her career record of two wins from three starts, with her only loss being a debut second-place finish at Cranbourne behind Lofty Arch.
Her most recent start was an impressive victory in the Listed Crockett Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day.
Thompson and co-trainer Mike Moroney will also saddle another three-year-old returning from a spell, with Plymouth set to resume in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes.
The Autumn Sun gelding last raced in the Listed Batman Stakes, finishing midfield, but showed promising form earlier in his campaign. Thompson has been pleased with his two 800m jumpouts at Flemington in January.
“He’s a really nice horse, he seems to have come back well and he gets the blinkers on Saturday,” Thompson said.
“His jumpouts have been good, we’ve always had a lot of time for him, but just always expected a little bit more.
“He just lacked that killer punch last time, but he’s come back bigger and stronger and hopefully that makes a difference.”
Plymouth, like Certain Rise, will be ridden by Shinn and has drawn the inside barrier in the field, which has been reduced to eight following the scratching of Goodlucktome.
