La Crique is heeding the call from Sydney following her impressive showing in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) last Saturday.
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander had previously withdrawn her from the Group 1 Arrowfield Sud Plate (1600m) a week earlier, opting for a closer-to-home mile race where she carried a hefty 60kg.
In a showdown with the star mare Legarto, La Crique, ridden by Jasmine Fawcett, seized the early initiative and led the race, looking strong.
However, the weight she carried began to take its toll down the straight, and she finished third behind her higher-favored rival.
Despite this, her connections were content with her performance, and it has instilled confidence in them to proceed with their spring plans in Sydney.
Katrina Alexander explained, “I think we had to go forward carrying that weight; it would have just made it harder for her chasing anything from the back. I don't think we would have ended up in the placing we had if we had taken that option.”
She commended Jasmine Fawcett's riding, emphasising the effort to use the back straight to position La Crique in the lead.
Katrina also acknowledged that La Crique, being a lightly-framed mare, faced a significant challenge carrying the weight.
“The horse showed she wanted to let down in the straight, but she is probably one of the lightest weighing racehorses out there, let alone lugging that weight around,” she added.
“I thought it was a nice, brave run. We achieved what we wanted to – she had to have a hit-out and it was nice to see if we could resume our normal racing pattern if we wanted to, which she did.
“Everything went to plan, and it was as good as we could have expected from the day.”
La Crique's journey now leads her to Sydney later in the week, where she is scheduled to compete in the Group 3 Craven Plate (2000m) and the A$2 million Five Diamonds (1800m).
Katrina Alexander confirmed, “She is booked to fly on Sunday, so as long as we are happy with her this week, we will continue with those plans.”