On the back of a record-breaking juvenile season, all eyes will be on Godolphin’s squad of three-year-olds this spring with Athiri set to pave the way in the Listed Rosebud.
The Lonhro filly was part of Godolphin’s richly talented two-year-old team which took all before them in the autumn, culminating in the Golden Slipper in which Sheikh Mohammed celebrated the trifecta with Kiamichi, Microphone and Lyre.
Athiri did not land a stakes win as a youngster but she was placed in three black-type races, each time playing a minor role to one of her higher-profile stablemates.
As the only Godolphin runner in Saturday’s Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill, Athiri will get her chance to shine and trainer James Cummings says she has done everything right in preparation.
“She’s had two public trials in the lead-up including an impressive trial at Randwick last week when she showed a great turn of foot over the last two furlongs,” Cummings said.
“She will get a better track this weekend at Rosehill and it will be a really good place for her to kick off.
“We are pretty confident of a really good run from her first-up on Saturday.”
Athiri will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy and is being kept safe in early markets at $5.
Her eight rivals include promising colt Dawn Passage from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott yard, dual Group Two winner Anaheed and in-form filly Lucicello.
If Athiri performs well, Cummings will consider pressing on to the first of the four Princess Series races, the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on August 24.