Palacio De Cristal eyes Myer spoils

By LRN Staff

Palacio De Cristal may never get a better chance to break through for a Group One victory than at this year's Melbourne Cup carnival.The talented mare has been aimed at two Group One races during the week-long Flemington racing extravaganza, the first being the Myer Classic (1600m) on Saturday.Trainer Grahame Begg said there was also a good chance Palacio De Cristal would back up a week later in the Emirates Stakes over the same course and distance.Palacio De Cristal takes an unbeaten Flemington

Palacio De Cristal may never get a better chance to break through for a Group One victory than at this year's Melbourne Cup carnival.

The talented mare has been aimed at two Group One races during the week-long Flemington racing extravaganza, the first being the Myer Classic (1600m) on Saturday.

Trainer Grahame Begg said there was also a good chance Palacio De Cristal would back up a week later in the Emirates Stakes over the same course and distance.

Palacio De Cristal takes an unbeaten Flemington record into the Myer following her first-up win in the Group Two Blazer Stakes (1400m) and her victory in the Moet & Chandon (1700m) two years ago.

But the Myer will be no easy task with reigning Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy and Sydney pin-up Hot Danish fronting up along with three-year-old dual Group One winner Yosei who gets in with just 49.5kg.

Glen Boss will take the ride on Yosei after the filly's regular partner Michelle Payne conceded defeat in the battle to get to the light weight.

Begg is banking on Palacio De Cristal's affinity with the Flemington circuit to play in her favour.

"She loves the big stretches at Flemington, she's two for two there," Begg said.

The five-year-old has had five attempts in Group One company with her best result a third in the Coolmore Classic won by Alverta at Rosehill in April.

One start later she finished fourth in the George Ryder Stakes.

The Myer Classic, restricted to fillies and mares and run under weight-for-age conditions, has been in Begg's sights all preparation.

He elected to scratch the mare from the Tristarc Stakes on Caulfield Cup day in heavy conditions as he wanted her to be at her best for Flemington.

Dwayne Dunn will be aboard in the Myer and is unbeaten on the fast-finishing mare having only partnered her in her two Flemington appearances.

Dunn also rode the Begg-trained All Silent to victory in the Group One Emirates Stakes during the 2008 Cup carnival.

Begg believes Palacio De Cristal, winner of last year's Group Two Villiers Stakes, has the ability to win at Group One level.

"She just needs to get into the right race and get the breaks going her way," he said.

"If it's not in the Myer, it might be the week after in the Emirates."

A daughter of Encosta De Lago, Palacio De Cristal will be four weeks between runs into the Myer Classic.

In the Blazer Stakes on October 3, she defeated an in-form John Thompson-trained No Evidence Needed by a short neck.

Begg said Palacio De Cristal would head into Saturday's contest in great order.

"She's done very well," Begg said.