Inconspicuous start to her career

WHILE her highly-successful sibling prepares for another feature race assault, Rinaaz is poised to make an inconspicuous start to her career.

Rinaaz is a half-sister to multiple Group One winner, Maajida, which is engaged in Saturday night’s Robin Dundee Stake at Club Menangle.

Last December the Emma Stewart-trained mare became just the second pacer to complete a clean sweep of the Vicbred Finals.

Maajida captured the two and three-year-old deciders in 2019 and 2020 before outclassing her rivals in the four-year-old Final on New Year’s Eve.

A solid fifth in last weekend’s Sibelia Stake at Menangle, Maajida has drawn to figure prominently from barrier three.

The daughter of Somebeachsomewhere is attempting to secure a berth in the famed Ladyship Mile on February 26.

“She came from barrier three when she won the Robin Dundee Stake last season so hopefully the draw is a good sign,” Stewart said.

“She will be a lot fitter for two runs back from a freshen-up, so we expect a good showing from her.”

As for Rinaaz, she will make her debut in Maryborough today.

Also drawn three, Rinaaz will slot into gate two following a scratching, which has seen the three-year-old listed as a $1.45 favourite with TAB Fixed Odds.

“Rinaaz is coming along really well,” Stewart said. “From that draw she will be looking for the lead, and if she does find the front, it is hard to see her being beaten.”

With Rinaaz Arabic for “great”, Stewart believes the daughter of Betting Line has the potential to live up to her name.

“What she has shown at home suggests she can win her share,” Stewart said. “Whether she matches Maajida (Arabic for ‘glorious’) we will have to wait and see!”