Pippie takes aim at Group 1 William Reid Stakes
Oakleigh Plate winner Pippie will be ridden more conservatively in the William Reid.
Chris Meagher is acutely aware of the task confronting Pippie as she attempts a second straight Group One win.
After blowing her rivals away with sustained speed in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 22, Pippie steps up to 1200m in the William Reid Stakes on Friday night at The Valley.
Pippie is also faced with a weight rise, jumping from 52kg under the handicap conditions of the Oakleigh Plate to 56.5kg at weight-for-age.
Instead of receiving a weight advantage over Newmarket Handicap winner Bivouac, Pippie now gives the Godolphin colt half a kilogram.
While Pippie burned her rivals off at Caulfield, Meagher, who trains in partnership with his father John, says the same tactics will not be adopted at The Valley.
“She probably won’t get the 1200 metres if she runs the times she did early in the Oakleigh Plate, so we’ll restrain her a touch,” Meagher said.
“I knew nothing would lead her but in saying that you want to run a touch slower and go through the gears on Friday night which she will as she’s not a hard pulling horse.
“We had to ride her like that at Caulfield because we drew near the outside and had to get across.
“She’ll probably lead again, lead into the straight, and if she can hold on, terrific, but they’ll be swamping her late.”
Ben Melham regains the ride from Linda Meech who partnered Pippie at Caulfield because of her light weight.
“He was always going to be back on win, lose or draw,” Meagher said.
“But it’s always difficult when a jockey wins a Group One on them.”
Friday night’s performance will determine where Pippie heads next with the Adelaide carnival favoured for the Group One double of the Robert Sangster Stakes and The Goodwood, both over 1200m at Morphettville in May.
“We’ll get through Friday night and if she tells us we need to give her a break we will. If not we’ll give her a short let-up and press on to Adelaide,” Meagher said.