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Jasminka on trial for Sydney trip

Thursday 11 March 2010
By Glenn Davis

Talented mare Jasminka will put her credentials for a Sydney trip on the line when she makes her comeback at Doomben on Saturday.

Jasminka was due to make her return at Eagle Farm last Saturday before the meeting was abandoned following a week of torrential rain.

Trainer Brian Smith had the option of giving Jasminka a barrier trial at Eagle Farm on Tuesday but preferred to start her in Saturday's Nestle Class 6 Handicap (1350m).

Despite last week's washout, Smith doesn't believe her Sydney plans have been affected.

"It won't affect her that much," Smith said.

"She's having only one run here before she heads to Sydney and it doesn't matter whether it was last week or this week."

However, Smith conceded last week's race was the preferred option as it was a more suitable fillies and mares race.

"This is a class six but it's a lot tougher than last week and that's why she's only got 54 kilos on Saturday," he said.

"It would have been a lot easier against the fillies and mares last week."

Jasminka, who is part-owned by former champion jockey Mick Dittman, hasn't started since scoring a narrow victory in a 1600-metre class six at Eagle Farm last November.

Dittman was keen to send Jasminka to Sydney for the Group Two Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in December but was convinced by Smith to spell her and aim for the Sydney autumn and possibly Brisbane winter carnivals.

Smith is hoping Jasminka can measure up to the Group One Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on April 3 and Group Two Emancipation Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

"She's still going through her grades but if she races well on Saturday she'll go to Sydney," Smith said.

"There's a few races like the Queen Of The Turf and the Emancipation Stakes which may suit her."

Jasminka has started three times for two wins for Smith after making her stable debut when she resumed from a year's break with an eye-catching third at Doomben last October.

She was previously trained in New Zealand by Shaune Ritchie who rated her good enough to campaign during the 2008 spring carnival in Sydney.

Jasminka finished a close sixth to former star filly Samantha Miss in her Australian debut in the Group Three Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm before suffering an injury.

In New Zealand, Jasminka had only four starts winning a two-year-old maiden at Ellerslie before being placed twice at Listed level in the Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka and Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Foxton in 2008.

Larry Cassidy will ride Jasminka for only the third time and will be aiming to keep his unblemished record on the mare intact.