The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin stable is banking on a call to target a shorter Group 1 race for three-year-olds with Bittercreek will pay off on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
After scoring at Moonee Valley last Saturday in the Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes, Bittercreek showed Troy Corstens that he was back on target for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
As a two-year-old, Corstens had his eyes set on the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) with Bittercreek after the colt was showing early promise in short-course races.
Corstens reasoned the son of Snitzel with age and maturity would appreciate the mile trip.
But after a late autumn – early winter campaign in Queensland, Corstens reassessed those thoughts and switched his attention to the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Current leading Melbourne rider Blake Shinn was instrumental in helping Corstens with those plans after partnering Bittercreek in three starts in Queensland, including when second to Broadsiding in the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June.
“I had a good conversation with Blake Shinn who was riding Bittercreek at the time after we ran in the J J Atkins and ran second,” Corstens said.
“Blake suggested that Bittercreek didn’t get the mile, so that really set the tone where we wanted to go in the spring.
“I changed my mind and thought that we would concentrate on the Coolmore instead of the Guineas and hopefully I’ve done the right thing.”
The decision to aim for the Coolmore allowed Bittercreek more time in the paddock in the Queensland warmth before preparing for his return in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on October 5.
Corstens was planning on having just that run as a lead-up to the Coolmore, but Bittercreek performed below par that day on a track softened by rain.
“In hindsight I’m glad he had the run in the Red Anchor as well,” Corstens said.
“He carried more weight than the others and he really attack the line which I thought was terrific.
“Back on top of the ground was the key and I think he’s ready to go in the Coolmore.”