There is some depth at the top of the Quezette Stakes at Caulfield and the Ciaron Maher stable is banking of race fitness with its two runners to edge out the opposition.
Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull is quietly optimistic with Berezka and Just Like Gaby ahead of the Group 3 contest over 1100m on Saturday.
Both fillies have the advantage of races under their belt this campaign, in the case of Berezka two, and that race fitness Turnbull hopes will be seen to advantage on Saturday.
Turnbull said Berezka, who was placed on debut at Caulfield before running fourth at the venue at her last start on July 27, had shown promise but needs to jump better in her races.
“We’ve been happy with her runs, but she gets the start wrong to a degree,” Turnbull said.
“She breaks OK, but she’s a bit erratic and hasn’t been able to hold a spot, so she’s been shuffled back as a result.
“It’s only a smallish field and there is a bit of quality up the top end, but ‘Black Type’ at her third start, it would be invaluable.
“We thought we either go here, or we wait a week to go to The Valley for a 1200-metre race, but we’ve drawn well, and she worked with Gaby on Saturday morning, and on trackwork, it’s hard to split them.”
Turnbull said there had been no time to work on Berezka’s barrier manners since her most recent outing as the filly has a program to follow early in the spring.
How far into the spring Berezka goes Turnbull is unsure, but he said she was closer to requiring a break than racing well into the depths of the year.
While Berezka is a run at a time with spring looming, Turnbull expects Just Like Gaby, a daughter of Group 1 winning sprinter Loving Gaby to be there later in the year.
Just Like Gaby finished fourth behind First Settler up the straight at Flemington on July 20 at her only appearance.
“We thought she was terrific at Flemington as she has been a quite erratic, forward going horse,” Turnbull said.
“She caused the team in Sydney a few problems as she can be quite strong willed in terms of her behaviour, but she’s been pretty good down here.
“Although she did a few things wrong at Flemington, finishing fourth behind a decent one, we think, I think she’s definitely earned her place in this race.”