Tatt’s Tiara a test for Palazzo Pubblico
For many of the runners in the Tattersall’s Tiara, the Group One race will be the last chance to claim valuable black type before they head to the broodmare barn.
For Palazzo Pubblico it will be a chance to test her ability at the highest level before she is prepared for a spring campaign.
Trainer Matthew Smith admits it is a big task but he is confident the four-year-old can acquit herself well.
“She has only raced at 1400 metres once before so we are taking a punt on the distance,” Smith said.
“We are on a seek-and-find-out mission with her but we want to have a go.”
Bookmakers have forgiven Azkadellia her Stradbroke Handicap failure with the Ciaron Maher-trained mare the $2.90 favourite to win the final Group One race of the Australian season on Saturday.
Restricted to fillies and mares, the Tiara has attracted 23 entries which will be reduced to a maximum field of 17 plus five emergencies.
Palazzo Pubblico is at $26 in first markets with three-year-old Tsaritsa the second favourite at $5.
Experienced Brisbane jockey Michael Cahill will ride Palazzo Pubblico for the second time after steering her to a three-quarter length win in the Listed Bright Shadow (1200m) at Doomben on May 21.
Smith opted to keep her in Sydney for her next start last Saturday week when she finished sixth in the June Stakes won by Danish Twist, the horse the trainer believes is the one to beat on Saturday.
“I think Danish Twist is a star in the making,” he said.
The Kris Lees-trained mare began a four-race winning sequence in the Provincial Championship final and is an $8.50 chance in the Tiara.
Palazzo Pubblico has had one try at 1400 metres in January 2015 when she was trained by Sam Kavanagh.