Track conditions will dictate whether classy mare Yamazaki makes her return at Randwick or waits until the New Year to kick off her summer campaign.
Pfieffer On Weather Watch With Yamazaki
Trainer David Pfieffer is making sure he has all bases covered as he maps a road to the Gold Coast Magic Millions for stakes placegetter Yamazaki.
The mare is scheduled to return in the Heineken Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday, pending the weather and track conditions.
Storms and showers are forecast for Sydney in the coming days and Pfieffer isn’t keen to run her on genuinely wet ground.
She was given a trial at Canterbury on Tuesday as a precaution, quiet enough not to overtax her if she runs but enough to keep her ticking over if she doesn’t.
“I think I will run her on a six or better. It will come down to a common sense decision,” Pfieffer said.
“I am trying to get her to the Magic Millions at the Gold Coast and I didn’t want to miss out on a run or a gallop. Trialling at Canterbury I thought was a good opportunity.”
Yamazaki cemented her black-type credentials during the spring when she finished close fourths in the Toy Show Quality and Mona Lisa Stakes before a late-charging second to All Saints’ Eve in the Group Three Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle.
She had a short break after finishing fifth to Emeralds in the Angst Stakes and Pfieffer is keen to get her to the Gold Coast for the $1 million Magic Millions Fillies and Mares (1300m) on January 16.
“She was very unlucky not to win at Newcastle but she’s definitely got a solid stakes win in her, or hopefully a few of them,” Pfieffer said.
“Every prep she has kept improving. She’s a mare that is happy in her element and moving forward, it’s just a matter of concentrating on trying to win a stakes race and setting her up for her future career.”
Yamazaki was a $13 chance with bookmakers for the Randwick race on Thursday, odds Pfieffer considers generous if she runs.
“I’m pretty happy with her. I think she’s a solid chance and she is over the odds in my opinion,” he said.
The five-year-old has a handy record fresh with a win and three placings from six first-up runs.
If Yamazaki has to be scratched because of the rain, Pfieffer’s back-up options are the Listed Nudgee Stakes at Eagle Farm on January 2 or the Listed Christmas Classic over the same journey at Canterbury a day earlier.
His main priority is keeping Yamazaki in a good headspace.
“It’s always good when you’ve got the girls in your life happy,” Pfieffer said.