Smerdon fillies on trial for Qld Guineas
Rain is expected to help Fawkner’s half-sister Fife who will be on trial for a trip to Queensland when she chases a first city win at Sandown.
Fife and stablemate Indarra are among 17 acceptors for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Odds Boost Handicap and both are in contention for Brisbane.
“Both of them could end up there in the Queensland Guineas,” trainer Robert Smerdon said.
The Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m) is on June 11 at Eagle Farm.
A stakes winner as a juvenile, Indarra weakened to finish near the tail of the field in the Group Two Queen Of The South Stakes last start in Adelaide after sitting on speed.
Fife broke her maiden on soft going at Geelong in March, her only win from five starts with another three placings including at Sandown last time in rain-affected going.
She is a daughter of Starcraft out of the mare Dane Belltar, the dam of multiple Group One winner Fawkner.
“We know Fife likes the soft ground so that will be suitable for her,” Smerdon said.
Fife has drawn the outside barrier.
Sandown was rated in the good range on Wednesday, but track manager Tim Bailey said rain was forecast in the lead-up to the meeting.