Fabergino’s Melbourne Plans Uncertain
Fabergino’s quest for a Group 1 campaign in Melbourne remain uncertain with trainer Tiarnna Robertson not sure on what path the gun mare will take in the spring.
The exciting grey sprinter gave Roberston one of her greatest thrills in racing when she brilliantly won the Listed Bob Hoysted Stakes (1000m) at Flemington in February.
In her interstate debut, the Maschino mare surged to a clear lead on jumping and showed her rivals a clean set of heels down the straight to win by 1 ¼ lengths.
With one major Victorian race in their keeping, Robertson and Fabergino are scheduled to go to back and venture across the Nullarbor for a second time to target the Group 1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley in September.
But with Victoria experiencing a second wave of COVID-19 and uncertainty over suitable flight arrangements, Robertson’s Group 1 ambitions with her star five-year-old have hit a hurdle.
“I don’t have the answers right now, but she is all dressed up with nowhere to go at the moment,” Robertson said on TABradio.
“The plan is obviously to get to Melbourne for the Moir, but I’m not too sure how we are heading for that, as far as flights are concerned.
“That’s what we are working to and a lot can change in two months, but at the moment we don’t have any answers.”
Robertson has ruled out following in the footsteps of leviathan Perth owner Bob Peters who has elected to float his star gallopers to Melbourne.
Regal Power, Superstorm, Arcadia Queen and Perfect Jewel began a five day road trip to contest Melbourne spring carnival events last week.
Showmanship was added to Peters’ list and is due to leave Perth to join his stable mates on Tuesday.
Robertson said she couldn’t consider the same option for Fabergino.
“She won’t float over,” Robertson said.
”If we had known that this was going to eventuate we could have floated her while she was spelling.
“She had five weeks in the paddock and it could have been the perfect time.
“She is not the horse who could handle that during a prep.
“There is a back-up plan at home, but the preference is in Melbourne.
“If she can’t go over there will be some nice races in the autumn.”
Robertson’s back-up plan will take in Perth’s premier sprint, the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m).
“That’s the main goal here and the only grand finale race in Perth,” Robertson said.
“We have a few options leading into it, nothing definite until we know what we are doing.”
Fabergino has won nine races from 12 starts with seven of those wins at 1000 metres.
The only occasion she has not finished in the first three in her career was when she ran last in the Marjorie Charleson Classic over 1200m.
“I wouldn’t be going to Melbourne to prepare for a 1200 hundred, but I think she can run that in Perth,” Robertson said.
“There is just a lot more pressure with the class of horses over there (Melbourne).
“She is a dynamic fresh 1000 metre horse and there is still a question mark over 1200m.
“But here (Perth) I would be happy to prepare her for a 1200m race.”
Julio Santarelli