Despite a narrow loss during the week, when a hot tempo and unsuitable track both conspired against her, it's still all systems go for BEFANA’s mission to the Gold Coast in just over two weeks.
The Queensland Jewel Raceday on Saturday 19 March remains the target for BEFANA, who was brave in defeat when she went down by half-a-length in the Class 4 Handicap (1210m) at Toowoomba on Wednesday.
Lindsay Hatch felt the Toowoomba track wasn’t to her liking, and she was perhaps ridden too close to a hot speed.
In spite of the result, BEFANA remains a mare in form with two wins and two runner-up finishes from her last four starts, and Hatch is confident she will bounce back to her best in her Grand Final on the Gold Coast.
“I was disappointed she got beaten, but not in the performance of the mare,” he said.
“It wasn’t the right way to ride her, I probably saw her settling nearer the rear of the field but she jumped well and the leader set a fast pace, so Ange tried to stay with him.
“The winner has some good provincial form in New South Wales, so it was going to be difficult to run him down. And I don’t think the mare handles the Toowoomba track that well either, so we probably won’t run her there again if we can help it.
“She pulled up well after a tough run, so that’s the good news and there’s no reason to change our plans now so we’ll still be heading to the Gold Coast in a couple of weeks’ time. If we get a good track I’m sure you’ll see the best of her, so I’m looking forward to the day.”
BEFANA is likely to run in either the Military Rose Plate (1100m) or the Fillies and Mares Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m), we’ll bring you a further update nearer the raceday.