All roads lead to the Magic Millions for talented mare Me Me Lagarde, but trainers Toby and Trent Edmonds are hopeful she can pick up a race or two along the way.
Already a Listed winner of the Gold Edition Plate 12 months ago, Me Me Lagarde will be out to add to her black-type haul in the Listed Eureka Stud Tattersall’s Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
The four-year-old will tackle the race third-up having had genuine excuses at her first two runs, striking an unsuitable heavy track when she resumed at the venue in September before getting back from an outside draw at Eagle Farm last start and doing her best work late.
“Her run at Eagle Farm the other day was quite good. She drew poorly and had to go right back to last and she made good ground late in between horses,” Toby Edmonds said.
“She doesn’t really like that, so if she gets clear ground this week, that would be great.
“Her work has been good, so we’re quite confident she will run well.”
A barnstorming second to King Of Sparta in the Magic Millions Guineas earlier this year, Me Me Lagarde will aim towards either the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares (1300m) or the Magic Millions Cup (1400m), both $1 million races on the January 14 program.
Saturday’s assignment is a steppingstone along that path but from a good draw in barrier five, Edmonds expects a competitive performance and won’t be surprised if she can add to her winning record.
“She is a good filly,” he said.
“She took a little while after Magic Millions day (this year) to come right. It was a very firm track and she struggled after that, but now we think we have nearly got her right so she should run well on Saturday.”
Me Me Lagarde will face 11 rivals, including promising mare Canadian Dancer and the classy Juan Diva, who is a dual acceptor for the Starlight Stakes (1100m) in Sydney.
The Gold Coast program also features the Listed Recognition Stakes (1350m) for which the Annabel Neasham-trained Holyfield is a clear cut $2.20 favourite to remain unbeaten this campaign.