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Femina Fashion on track for MM Trophy

Friday 4 December 2009
By Glenn Davis

Trainer Trevor Whittington is confident Femina Fashion will emerge as a serious contender for next month's Magic Millions Trophy at the Gold Coast following her black-type assignment in the Mode Stakes at Doomben.

Whittington believes Femina Fashion won't race as far back in Saturday's 1200-metre Listed feature as she did last start when she stormed home for sixth to Temple Of Boom over 1000 metres at Eagle Farm on November 14.

"She had barrier 13 that day and we had no alternative but to ride her back in the field," Whittington said.

"Larry Cassidy said in hindsight she would have been better off ridden four or five deep.

"She hit the line terrific but we don't expect her to get as far back this time and I hope she'll be a lot closer."

Whittington believes stepping up to 1200 metres will also greatly assist her chances.

"She wants further and 1200 metres will suit her better before she steps up to 1350 metres next start in the Vo Rogue Plate on Boxing Day," he said.

Whittington has a big opinion of the daughter of Shamardal and considered sending her to Sydney for the Group One Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in October following her win over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm on September 12.

However, the trip south was scrapped after Femina Fashion failed at her next appearance when sixth to Sheldon, beaten five lengths, over 1350 metres at Doomben two weeks later.

Whittington has little doubt Femina Fashion will stay and is hopeful she'll develop into a Queensland Oaks (2400m) filly next year.

"Long-term we're looking at next year's Queensland Oaks but after this run and the Vo Rogue she'll go for the Magic Millions Trophy and then spell," he said.

"Her mother is by Jeune and the way she races she gives every impression she'll stay.

"Once she's trained as a stayer I'm sure she won't have a problem with the Oaks distance."

The $1 million Magic Millions Trophy (1400m) will be run at the Gold Coast on January 9.

Whittington rated the Bruce Brown-trained Emma's Heart as the biggest danger to Femina Fashion.

"Emma's Heart is a pretty good filly and she looks our danger even though we've beaten her in the past," he said.

Whittington was referring to their clash when Femina Fashion won the 1200-metre three-year-old race at Eagle Farm in September when Emma's Heart finished a close fourth.

Brown has a big opinion of Emma's Heart and sent her to Sydney as a two-year-old in the autumn trying to qualify her for the Group One Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill.

However, the daughter of Lion Heart returned home after she pulled up shin-sore following her failure in the Group Two Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill in March.