Sirileo Miss will need a “Peach from Meech” after drawing the extreme outside gate in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington.
The Symon Wilde-trained mare is unbeaten in three runs this campaign and took out her biggest win when successful in the Group 3 Ladies’ Day Vase (1600m) at Caulfield on October 13, the same distance as Saturday’s race.
But this time the class rises to another level, but there is a big carrot dangling in front of Wilde, Linda Meech and the connections of Sirileo Miss.
Not only is there the first prize of $600,000, but there is also another $1 million bonus on offer for five of the 15 starters, including Sirileo Miss.
The bonus is also on offer for Colette, Tofane, Still A Star and Flying Mascot who each took out one of 12 races through the year to qualify.
Meech acknowledges the draw will make it tough for Sirileo Miss who has continued to rise to every challenge.
“All the form out of her last race has been terrific, there has been a heap of winners,” Meech said.
“All the form says we should run, and it’s a million-dollar race, but there is the barrier.
“She is still learning, and she can get hard on the bridle, like she did at Caulfield.”
Meech said she will not want to be rushing over from barrier 15 and said it would be suicidal leading on Sirileo Miss, but if she can get across easily, then she’ll be happy to take up the front.
“I don’t want to ruin her for next campaign,” Meech said.
“We’ll see what Symon wants, but she’s only young and it would be suicidal leading on her.
“It would be good if she could get away with it but there’s still plenty of other races this year that she could go to.
“And she’ll be a better horse in the autumn.”