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The daughter of Written Tycoon is aiming for her second Group 1 in Saturday's race
Mick Price is confident three-year-old filly Odeum (Written Tycoon) is in the right form to take out the final Group 1 race of the season; the Tattersall’s Tiara (Gr 1, 1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The race will be the last of 74 Group 1 races run throughout Australia in season 2020-21.
Winner of the Thousand Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) last October, the daughter of Written Tycoon (Iglesia) comes into Saturday’s race having finished second in the Dane Ripper Stakes (Gr 2, 1300m) at Eagle Farm on June 12.
Price, who trains Odeum in partnership with Michael Kent Jr, says the filly is 'going brilliant' and is hopeful of jockey James Mcdonald, who rode her last start, making it into Queensland before the border is shut down in the early hours of Thursday morning.
A number of Sydney jockeys are expected to make a late dash to Brisbane to ride at Eagle Farm on Saturday, just as the Victorian jockeys did late last month following a COVID outbreak to ride at the Queensland Derby meeting.
If McDonald and his fellow Sydney-based jockeys don't make the trip, a mad scramble will be on to book jockeys.
Price said he would cross that bridge if it arises but is confident Odeum is ready to run a big race.
"I think her best distance is 1600 (metres) but you have to chase the Group 1's," Price told RSN.
"The other day was 1300 and she got beat fair and square. The 1400 is good, but obviously there is the Stradbroke Handicap winner (Tofane) in there and Brooklyn Hustle again.
"They're pretty competitive mares' races, but she's going great, I'm very happy with her and she'll run up to her best."
Price has opted for a barrier blanket for Odeum on Saturday as the mare can dwell at the start and he would expect the mare to be racing in a midfield position
"I wouldn't want her to be much worse than that," he said.
Following Saturday, Price said Odeum would have a short break before embarking on a spring campaign that could see the Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill being a target.
Sydney trainer John O’Shea meanwhile is hopeful that winkers will sharpen up his runner, Rocha Clock (Pierro), in the race.
The Jason Abrahams-raced four-year-old finished third last start at Eagle Farm over 1600 metres on June 5 having captured the Dark Jewel Classic (Gr 3, 1400m) at Scone the start prior.
"There will be no excuses from us if she's beaten on Saturday," O'Shea declared.
"I brought her back home after her last run and three weeks between runs is perfect for her.
"I'll be adding winkers this time to keep her sharp.
"Hopefully she can find an extra five per cent which will see her in the finish."
The stable has been in great form with a 19 per cent winning strike rate, with his latest winner Lillemor (Hallowed Crown) in the Gai Waterhouse Classic (Listed, 1200m) at Ipswich last Saturday.
