Ascot trainer Mitchell Pateman concedes the barrier has added another layer of difficulty for This’ll Testya to win the G3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Following wide gates in the Crawford Stakes (1000m) and Prince Of Wales Stakes (1000m), when runner-up to Miss Conteki, This’Ll Testya will have to contend with barrier 12.
While initially deflated with This’ll Testya’s wide starting position, Mitchell Pateman is drawing confidence from her first up run this preparation when she was ridden off the speed.
Pateman will leave the riding instructions to Lucy Warwick, but anticipates the top jockey to take a more conservative approach with the in-form seven-year-old mare.
“It’s not ideal, she’s drawn ordinary all three starts this prep,” Pateman told Tabradio.
“That’s Lucy’s (Warwick) problem now, I can’t do too much about it.
“Probably we’ll ride her a little bit conservative, somewhat similar to her first-up.
“Hopefully a Money Matters or Comes A Time or something lobs in front of her and she can be three deep with cover.
“There will be no chance of crossing Wilchino or Indian Pacific, so there’s no use in coming out running.
“We will come out very quiet and she’s shown that if anything she’s better ridden like that anyway.
“If she can be ridden three deep with cover they will know that she is there.”
This’ll Testya is rated an $8 chance with Tabtouch. Defending Colonel Reeves Stakes champion Elite Street is the $3.20 favourite.
Top mare, Miss Conteki, undefeated this campaign, is next at $3.80. Wilchino is $6.50 and Red Can Man for Steve Wolfe $9.50.
This’ll Testya reached a career high in February when she earned black-type status for the first time in the Cyril Flower Stakes (1200m).
Pateman says a win in the Colonel Reeves Stakes will stamp This’ll Testya’s credentials for her next start in the G1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m).
“It will be interesting to see how she measures up on Saturday,” Pateman said.
“She hasn’t been far off the mark in her first two runs.
“But Elite Street is obviously the testing material.
“It will be interesting to see how we stack up against him.”