Chasing more feature glory

FRESH from registering an overdue Group One victory at Club Menangle a fortnight ago, quality young trotter Gladiatrix will begin her quest for another feature today.

Widely-regarded among the best of her crop, Gladiatrix captured the New South Wales Trotters’ Oaks for co-trainers Dean and Kerry McDowell at the world class venue on May 2.

Rating 1:59 over 2300 metres as Jilliby Aura and Aldebaran Ada filled the placings, Gladiatrix’s success also doubled as driver Lleyton Green’s initial Group One victory.

“We were pretty heartbroken about her making mistakes as a two-year-old in the Group Ones down in Melbourne,” Green said. “She has come back as a three-year-old and has just been an absolute professional.

“She finally got it all together and got that Group One, which is terrific.

“To get my first Group One was truly amazing and it felt like a big monkey was off my back as I have run many placings, so to get that first won is something special.”

As for her search for another major success, Gladiatrix is back at Club Menangle to contest a New South Wales Foundation Series heat.

To be partnered by Green once again, Gladiatrix is the widest drawn in the field of seven in the 2300-metre qualifier.

Despite her starting position, the daughter of 2020 New South Wales Derby winner Elite Stride is a short-priced favourite in early markets.

“She got poleaxed about three weeks before Oaks and tore ligaments in back and rump, which took a few weeks to come good, but she was only about 95 per cent for the Oaks,” Dean said.

“We’ve had a chiropractor work on her every couple of days and she should be more like 100 per cent for the heat.

Triumphant in last season’s New South Wales Foundation Series Final for two-year-olds, Cee Cee In Paris is among the main dangers from barrier six for prominent horseman Blake Fitzpatrick.

Dean is also wary of Superior Stride from gate five for the trainer Rickie Alchin and driver Ashleigh Delosa combination.

“It’s actually a tough little race,” Dean said. “Fitzy’s went well in the Oaks and will be hard to beat.

“Obviously we’ve watched the Oaks like 50 times and Fitzy’s was climbing over the top of them in the straight.

“Superior Stride went great in the Derby and won a couple of weeks ago in good time, so it’ll be hard to beat.

“Plus he’s a colt, ours is a filly, so it makes him difficult to beat.”

Looking beyond the Foundation Final, the McDowell’s have earmarked a pair of interstate trips with Gladiatrix.

Queensland major races in July are on the agenda ahead of redemption in Victoria later in the season.

“Queensland is definitely on the cards,” Dean said. “We’ve had a look at the program and there are a couple of races we think will be right for her.

“Also Victoria later in the year is something we are keen on as she didn’t put her best forward there last year, so hopefully can put in a better performance this year.”