Perth mare Angelic Ruler has some unfinished business in Melbourne which her co-trainer Daniel Pearce hopes will come at Flemington.
Angelic Ruler is on her second trip to Melbourne and is yet to win in four starts, but has finished among the placegetters each time in stakes races.
Pearce, who trains in partnership with his brother Ben, hopes that can be corrected on Saturday in the Group Two Blazer Stakes, a 1400m-race for mares.
At her initial foray into Melbourne, Angelic Ruler finished second to Qafila at Caulfield in February, following up with a third to Spanish Whisper at Flemington.
At her last start before a break she chased Princess Jenni home at Moonee Valley.
Resuming under Dean Yendall at Caulfield on September 21, Angelic Ruler closed off strongly to run second to Manicure in the How Now Stakes (1200m).
“It’s great to be back and we’ve got some unfinished business,” Pearce said.
“She couldn’t get the job done last time and unfortunately we’ve started off this time in the same fashion.
“If we can turn that around towards the end of the prep, it would be great.”
Pearce said the roomier Flemington track and rise in distance should be ideal.
“I don’t know if he (Yendall) did much wrong last time,” Pearce said.
“The gap closed when he needed it and with a bit more luck he slides though and wins and is a genius.
“Sitting back is the way she’s won at home getting the drop on them, but over here she’s bumping into better competition.”
Pearce has the Group One Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 2 as Angelic Ruler’s main spring target.
Pushin’ Shapes helped offset some of the travel costs for the Pearce brothers with victory at Caulfield on Sunday while another stablemate Vital Silver has been entered for Saturday’s Gilgai Stakes for his first run back from a spell.