Grahame Begg mare Splash Back chasing another Flemington win in Group 3 Aurie's Star Handicap
The reinvented lightly-raced five-year-old mare, now being trained particularly for speed, has won three of four starts since she joined the Begg yard.
Splash Back scored arguably the win of the winter season with a barnstorming result at Flemington last start, charging from an impossible position to win a 1400m Benchmark 90.
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Begg has freshened up the mare for an early spring campaign, starting in the Aurie's Star – her first look down the straight
'We're delighted the way she's prepped up,' Begg said.
'Certainly going up a grade (to Group 3) and she hasn't been up the straight before but we're very happy with the way she's going.'
Apprentice jockey Tom Prebble retained the ride on Splash Back after back-to-back wins at Caulfield and Flemington.
Prebble has maintained an association with the mare in recent work outs including a jumpout.
'He hasn't done anything wrong on her so you got to reward him,' Begg said.
'He's come and done the hard yards, ridden her around in between time … and he can ride 54kg.' Splash Back, formerly trained by Andrew Bobbin, opened her account for Begg with a win last year then finished midfield in a 1400m Group 3 at Flemington.
The rising six-year-old has thrived in her second preparation with a focus on sharper workouts.
'We got a bit of a handle on her now, changed a few things up as far as the training goes,' Begg said.
'Training her to run over shorter distances … I feel she's more dynamic around the 1400m mark.'
• Bigger, stronger' My Gladiola primed for spring
Begg flexed spring muscle at the Caulfield jumpouts on Wednesday, with Group 1 winner Magic Time, emerging top class mare Niance and progressive King Zephyr stretching their legs in respective 800m hitouts.
Begg welcomed the opportunity to gallop on the grass with turf tracks unavailable at Cranbourne of late due to recent wet weather.
'We've been hamstrung as far as facilities to gallop on grass the last couple of weeks,' Begg said.
'It's very good of the MRC to come to the party and put jumpouts on for the better class horses.'
Magic Time will resume in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 30 before the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) on September 18.
Magic Time won the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes in 2023.
• Jockey to face tribunal on racehorse ownership charge
Niance could also run at Caulfield next month, but more likely go straight to the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) on September 6 at The Valley.
Begg has enjoyed a stellar season with 67 Victorian winners at a staggering state-best 27.5 per cent strike rate.
The tally includes 33 city triumphs at 26.5 per cent winners to runners.
'One thing you can't eat is stats,' Begg laughed.
'You just got to keep on getting results. We try to place (our horses) where they can win, put them in the right scenario (race, track and conditions).
'Always need luck, whatever you do, but the number one thing is trying to put the horses in the right scenario.'
Gilbert Gardiner
Sports reporter
Gilbert Gardiner is a sports reporter for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun.
@gilbertgardiner
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