Trainer Tom Hughes has decided not to back smart mare Miss Octopussy up at Flemington on Saturday following her impressive win at Caulfield.The four-year-old was one of 18 nominations for the National Patient Transport Sprint (1200m) but Hughes said he would wait for the Listed Christmas Stakes over the same distance at Caulfield on Boxing Day."She'll get in on the minimum weight in the Christmas Stakes and it'll be an easier race than the Standish," Hughes said."Then we've got the Robert Sangst
Trainer Tom Hughes has decided not to back smart mare Miss Octopussy up at Flemington on Saturday following her impressive win at Caulfield.
The four-year-old was one of 18 nominations for the National Patient Transport Sprint (1200m) but Hughes said he would wait for the Listed Christmas Stakes over the same distance at Caulfield on Boxing Day.
"She'll get in on the minimum weight in the Christmas Stakes and it'll be an easier race than the Standish," Hughes said.
"Then we've got the Robert Sangster Stakes in the autumn. We won't worry about the Oakleigh Plate or the Newmarket.
"She's entitled to have a go at the Robert Sangster without Black Caviar being there.
"She'll be the fresh horse on the scene as she's had four runs in four months."
The Group One Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) is run at Morphettville on March 26.
Hughes said his stable had had a quiet spring with only eight horses in work and a very limited number of starters.
"But we're back in business now," he said.
Miss Octopussy, who has won four of her 12 starts, is out of Ponton Flyer who was prepared by Hughes to win the 2001 Group Two Kewney Stakes and finished second in three Group Ones including the Blue Diamond Stakes, VRC Sires Produce Stakes and Thousand Guineas.
With apprentice Adam McCabe in the saddle, Miss Octopussy led and gave nothing else a chance over 1200m at Caulfield last Saturday, scoring by 2-3/4 length wins from Lady Gaga.
"She couldn't be any more impressive. She has a very high cruising speed and one day on the right track she'll break a track record," Hughes predicted.
Among the higher rated nominations in Saturday's sprint are Jungle Ruler (103), Diplomatic Force (101), Cocinero (99) Commanding Hope (98) and Miss Octopussy (91).
Benalla trainer Wayne Nichols scratched Diplomatic Force from Saturday's The 65 Roses Victoria Cup (1100m) at Caulfield, won by Grand Duels, fearing a rain affected track.
Apart from the Flemington sprint, Nichols nominated the six-year-old for the Listed City Of Marion Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.
Bondachuk, Commanding Hope, Snip Esprit and Fugitive are also entered for both races.