Begg filly aims for Stakes race success

Winners of the 1400m race for two-year-olds in the past include Epimeles (2024), Tijuana (2022), Chaillot (2019), Vassilator (2017), Merchant Navy (2017), Long John (2013) and Confectioner (2003). 

The race comes at the right time for a lightly raced galloper looking for a rise in trip and one that is not necessarily interstate bound. 

One such galloper is the Grahame Begg-trained Profligate who on Saturday will be lining up for start number two before heading for a break to prepare for the spring. 

Profligate scored over 1200m at Pakenham on debut on April 2. 

"I wanted to give her another run before I turn her out and there really wasn't another race to run her in," Begg said. 

"It's not easy to win first-up at 1200 metres, let alone being your first start in a race, and to be truthful she wasn't wound right up for it. 

"She had jumped out well and showed us she was ready to go to the races and anything she did there was going to be a bonus. 

"She was pretty raw but got the job done, so I thought 'let's roll the dice' and run her over 1400 metres on Saturday on the big track, which will suit her, and there's the added bonus of some Black Type. 

"She can go for a break afterwards. It gives her a little bit more exposure and in previous years some nice horses have won it and gone on to do nice things." 

Begg said Profligate was an unassuming filly that would grow into her body, describing her as a 'big, tally leggy girl'. 

"She's a half-sister to Encap who ran third in the Doncaster last year and I liked her as a type, an athletic filly and she could develop into a spring filly, if we aim her right," Begg said. 

"I wouldn't suggest she's going to be a middle-distance horse, but she might be one to run up to a mile. 

"You certainly don't have to be running against the ones early in the spring as there's plenty of options for a three-year-old in the spring, and the autumn which can then set them up as four-year-olds."