Rostova on trial for big sprints

Fri 10 Sep

Group One-winning mare Rostova will be on trial for a crack at the rich spring sprints when she resumes in the Group Three McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley.

Jockey Steven King said he was excited about the return of the Testa Rossa four-year-old but she needed to convince connections she was up to the top sprinters.

"Trainer Steve Richards is open-minded and hopefully this race will tell us which way to go with her," King said.

Rostova beat fillies and mares when she won the Group One Robert Sangster Stakes in March but was beaten at her last two starts when a close fifth in the Group One The Galaxy at Randwick in April and seventh in the Group One The Goodwood at Morphettville in May.

"It is good to see her come back and have a run against the good sprinters around at the moment," King said.

"She's forward enough to run a good race but she has to show Steve something for him to press on to the Group One sprints.

"She is a four-year-old mare now and a bit stronger and more mature but until you see her against open company you don't know where you are going.

"With plenty of pace on she is probably going to get back a bit but I expect her to get to the line hard.

"You would like to see her ripping ground off them and if she does it will show that she is up to the Group One races over the spring."

The McEwen is a lead-up race to the Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) on September 24 and past winners of the prelude event have included Testa Rossa, Mistegic, Miss Andretti, Here De Angels and Nicconi. - aap