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Bong Bong trainer Graeme Spackman hasn't ruled out a start in next month's Group One Lightning Stakes for promising filly Spurcent.
Bong Bong trainer Graeme Spackman hasn't ruled out a start in next month's Group One Lightning Stakes for promising filly Spurcent, who resumes in the Choice Homes Hcp (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Spackman is facing a dilemma with the Flying Spur three-year-old, who is yet to win beyond 1200m but showed with her third to Special Harmony in the Group One Thousand Guineas (1600m) a propensity to get over ground.
No firm decision has been made on her autumn campaign but Spackman indicated much would hinge on how she performed on Saturday.
"She has strengthened up so much now in such a short time and grown probably half a hand," Spackman said.
"She is keener and more explosive and I am really thinking that 1000 to 1200 metres down the straight at Flemington might be her go."
The $400,000 Lightning Stakes (1000m) on February 8 looms as genuine option for Spackman and he conceded that was the race at the back of his mind.
"A race like that is an option but we will just wait and see what she does on Saturday," Spackman said.
"I haven't decided on a plan for her yet but after she races on Saturday we will have a better idea."
Spurcent's racetrack return was postponed after she was found to be suffering from a low-grade virus and scratched from the Carrington Stakes won by Oomph on New Year's Day.
Spackman said she had fully recovered from the setback and had not missed any work but his one concern was her handicap of 58.5kg.
"It's a pretty big weight for a little girl but she has come back stronger than ever and hopefully she will be able to carry it," Spackman said.
"She is there to do her best and she is well enough within herself.
"I think she is in there with a great chance."
Spurcent will face up to the in-foal Oomph, who is carrying to Elusive Quality and likely to be making her final racetrack appearance, while the Jack Denham-trained Marfickle will back up following her impressive win at Warwick Farm last Saturday.
Brent Stanley will take the ride on Spurcent, who heads markets at 5-2 ahead of the John Hawkes-trained Sharp at 3-1.
