The shuffle of spring three-year-old fillies races has opened opportunities for the promising Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock-trained Tobeornottobe.
The Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday will go a long way to determining the eventual path the filly takes.
The change in programming has resulted in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) now being run four weeks later than in previous years, which in the instance of Tobeornottobe has opened up different options for the filly.
It is why Griffiths said Saturday’s performance is crucial in which direction they head with her.
The Thousand Guineas is certainly a consideration, but if Tobeornottobe shows she will not run 1600m there are options over shorter trips during Melbourne Cup week at Flemington.
“She’s a Pierata and we’re hoping that she’ll stretch to the mile for the Guineas,” Griffiths said.
“So, the only way to test those waters is to try her and if she pleases us on Saturday over 1400 metres, she’ll be a better filly for the next 1400-metre race on Derby Day and then into the Guineas in mid-November.
“If she doesn’t please us Saturday, she can drop back to a race like the Red Roses or one of those sprints at Flemington, because her form is fantastic.
“She’s really well. She’s trained well and if she runs the distance, she’s going to be in it.”
Tobeornottobe has the form credentials.
During her two-year-old year, Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Hayasugi lowered her colours in the Blue Diamond Preview before running fourth to that filly in the Blue Diamond Prelude.
Bypassing the Blue Diamond Stakes paved the way for Tobeornottobe taking out the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in March.
Upon resumption, Tobeornottobe has finished third behind Bellatrix Star in both the Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes at Flemington and the Group 3 Champagne Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Bellatrix Star has since come out to defeat the older sprinters in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield last Saturday.
“She ran into Bellatrix Star twice and that form has been enormous now with her beating the open sprinters,” Griffiths said.
“And we’ve got a good jockey, Zac Purton and he can find the winner’s stall.
“With all the guys going to the Everest and when we heard Zac Purton was in town, Matty jumped on that pretty quick.”
