News

Oakleigh Plate Target For Politeness

13th Jan 2016

Breeding and Racing - Thursday, 14th January 2016

Trainer Robert Smerdon has confirmed that smart mare Politeness (Street Sense-Berengaria, by Commands) will open her autumn campaign in the Gr1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on 27 February.

Politeness established herself as one of the best sprinting mares in Australia when nearly going through the spring undefeated with wins in the Gr3 How Now Stakes (1200m), Gr3 William Hill Sprint Series Final (1200m) and Gr1 Myer Classic (1600m), before rounding out her prep with a narrow loss in the Gr1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) when second to top Kiwi galloper Turn Me Loose.

The 5YO showed she was on track for another successful campaign when given an easy jump-out at Caulfield on Tuesday.

"I wanted to be really soft on Politeness this morning, it was nothing more than a track gallop on the course proper for her," Smerdon said.

"I'll keep her nice and fresh towards the Oakleigh Plate before she goes to Sydney, where hopefully they will get plenty of rain again."

Smerdon said Sydney features such as the Gr1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill on 12 March and the Gr1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on 9 April were also on the agenda.