Grahame Begg can't fault the condition of Villiers winner Palacio De Cristal ahead of the Chipping Norton Stakes but is worried a couple of factors may play against the mare.Palacio De Cristal returned from her successful summer campaign with a very encouraging, and fast-finishing third to Danleigh and Rangirangdoo in the Group Two Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill a fortnight ago.However, Begg believes the tighter Warwick Farm circuit with a shorter straight, and less exposed speed will play ag

Grahame Begg can't fault the condition of Villiers winner Palacio De Cristal ahead of the Chipping Norton Stakes but is worried a couple of factors may play against the mare.

Palacio De Cristal returned from her successful summer campaign with a very encouraging, and fast-finishing third to Danleigh and Rangirangdoo in the Group Two Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill a fortnight ago.

However, Begg believes the tighter Warwick Farm circuit with a shorter straight, and less exposed speed will play against the Encosta De Lago mare in the Group One Chipping Norton (1600m).

"Her run in the Apollo Stakes was very good," Begg said.

"Obviously this Saturday it's going to be a different type of race. There's no McClintock in the race so the pace will probably not be as frantic as what it was in the Apollo so that will probably have a big bearing on her chances being around Warwick Farm.

"And barrier one is probably not the best gate for her."

The trainer said jockey Peter Wells was probably going to have to try to bring Palacio De Cristal through the field and she would need a bit of luck to capture her first Group One on Saturday.

Despite his reservations about the Chipping Norton, which contains 10 Group One winners, Begg is confident Palacio De Cristal is right on target to score at the top level at some stage this preparation, if it's not this week.

The mare is likely to run in four Group One races in her next four starts.

"She's continued on with her good form from the summer months where she won The Villiers and we're looking very much forward to races like the Coolmore Classic, maybe the Queen Of The Turf and then the Doncaster," Begg said.

"She needs good to firm ground to do her best so one of those days she might get the right conditions and the right speed in the race.

"She was pretty explosive (in the Villiers). She came off a fast speed that day and that's what she relishes, being ridden quietly and given a bit of room to move.

"Unfortunately that's something I don't think she will get on Saturday at Warwick Farm but if she's running home strongly again I'll be over the moon."

Begg will watch the Chipping Norton Stakes from Melbourne as he'll be at Flemington to see stable star All Silent try to keep his unbeaten Flemington record intact in the Group One Newmarket Handicap (1200m).