Trainer Grahame Begg says he could not have Vespertine in any better condition ahead of a target race at Bendigo.
The Bendigo Gold Bracelet (1400m) on Saturday has been planned for Vespertine after her second-place finish to Annavisto in the Group 3 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March 5.
Begg won the corresponding race in 2019 with Miss Sishka and is dismayed the Bendigo Gold Bracelet does not carry stakes race status.
“I can’t understand why it has not been upgraded to a Listed race,” Begg said.
“I won it with Miss Siska a couple of years ago and it’s always been a good race. It’s deserving of a bit more money and status as well.”
Vespertine has been taken along quietly by Begg and on Saturday will be having only her 14th start.
While competitive in stakes company as a three-year-old, it was only at her last start that she filled a place for the first time in a black type race.
And Begg pointed out that Annavisto had confirmed the form by finishing a close-up fourth in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) at Newcastle on Monday.
A trip to the beach and a jump-out has Vespertine ready to go on Saturday.
“She had a tick over jump-out at Cranbourne on Monday and she went beautifully,” Begg said.
“We gave her a little break down at the beach after her last start and this is a race that we earmarked for her after that run.
“She’s trained on well and she looks immaculate. She wants good ground and getting on the big track, ridden a bit quieter will suit her.”
Vespertine, to be ridden by Jordan Childs, sits on the third line of betting at $6 behind La Chevalee ($4) and Sirileo Miss ($4.20) in Saturday’s race.