Group 1 Plans Still Alive For Fabergino
Trainer Tiarnna Robertson has not given up on Fabergino recording a Melbourne victory and ending a frustrating campaign on a winning high.
Fabergino came to Melbourne to target the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley in September, but those plans went awry.
The Maschino mare lacked her usual brilliance from the gates and never appeared comfortable on Moonee Valley’s soft track when 11th behind Pippie.
Perth’s glamour grey bounced back to run a brave second behind Graff in last Saturday’s Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m), but again was thwarted on a rain affected surface.
Robertson said Fabergino had recovered well from her previous run, but admitted the six-year-old’s Melbourne spring preparation had been challenging.
“She seems to have come through the run really well and seems pretty happy within herself,” Robertson said on Tabradio.
“I can’t really fault her.
“It was just a bummer to come so close and have a genuine excuse.
“She was in a field full of wet track winners, but it was positive she bounced back on her first-up run.
“It’s probably a little bit frustrating given the circumstances of the track conditions.”
Robertson believes her hopes of Fabergino winning at the elite level remain alive before she returns to home base in Perth.
She said the Group 1 Darley Sprint Classic (1200m) down the Flemington straight on November 7 looks a suitable option.
“That is probably going to be our aim, but I will have to talk to the owners and see how she comes through,” Robertson said.
“We will know for sure by the end of the week, but she has ticked all the right boxes so far to suggest she is ready for another one.
“There is a race the week before (Begonia Belle Stakes) which is a Group 3 filles and mares’ race and a winnable race.
“But she has already won a Group 3, she already has that on her CV.
“I think while we are here roll the dice and have a crack at the big one.
“Hopefully if we have a firm track you never know.
“We won’t come home die wondering.”
Fabergino is currently rated $8.75 for the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) behind Clairvoyance ($4), Nature Strip ($6) and Trekking ($6).
Although unlikely to take her part due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, Robertson has left the door ajar for Fabergino to tackle Perth’s premier sprint at Ascot on November 28.
“If I come back home I have to quarantine for two weeks and I only had to quarantine for three days coming over here,” Robertson said.
“For me to lose two weeks training with her and hand the reins over to someone else which I haven’t done before will make it hard.
“It is something we would look at, but I don’t think there are too many flights coming out of Melbourne.”
Julio Santarelli