Ciaron Maher says his star mare Srikandi has pulled up well after a disappointing showing in the BTC Cup and will push on to the Doomben 10,000, reports racing.com.
Srikandi, who was a $3.40 second favourite, blew her chance when she missed the start in Saturday’s Group 1, eventually finishing seven lengths behind the winner Hot Snitzel.
The Caulfield trainer has run the rule over her and can’t find anything wrong.
“She just sort of leapt in the air and in a 1200m Group 1 around Doomben, you can’t afford to do that really,” Maher told Racing.com’s Shane Anderson on Racing Ahead.
“It was (frustrating) - after they went 50m the race was sort of over for her.
“Sometimes you worry when a horse is so quick from the barriers they can slip or something like that and hurt themselves but she seems to be fine.
“The vet went over her (on Sunday), this morning we put her for a lead off the pony and she seemed quite bright and free.
“I think the horse beside her was annoying her. We may look at putting the barrier blanket on her, being a mare sometimes they can get a bit touchy.”
The beaten favourite in the BTC Cup, Our Boy Malachi, will also continue on to the Doomben 10,000.
Our Boy Malachi had to work at both ends and was overhauled late, eventually finishing third.
“His run was outstanding really, at his first time at Group 1 weight-for-age level,” trainer Wayne Hawkes told Racing Ahead.
“Tommy (Berry) rode him spot on, but at that level you need everything to go 100 percent (right).
“Blake (Shinn on Hot Snitzel) rode the perfect race.”