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| Dane Squance |
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The Group 3 Northwood Plume Stakes is a contest often lost among the array of highlights on the Caulfield Guineas card, but for the Godolphin stable, the mares-only race might hold the answer to a burning question.
Going in as favourite in the 1200-metre sprint is Godolphin's four-year-old Brazen Beau mare Zapateo, who could suddenly emerge as a frontrunner for the stable's slot in the $15 million The Everest at Randwick a week later.
Godolphin's general manager Vin Cox said the stable wanted to get through Saturday's meetings in Melbourne and Sydney before finalising a decision on its slot runner, but he said on Tuesday that Zapateo is not out of the picture.
"She's a bit of a left-fielder but she handles rain-affected tracks and Zapateo is a very good sprinter, so she is certainly under some consideration," he said.
Paulele and Ingratiating will run in the G2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) on Saturday, but Cox said that unlike with 2019 Schillaci winner Trekking, both horses are stallions and might be better served building their stud CVs in Stakes company.
Trekking won the Schillaci three years ago and then seven days later appeared in The Everest when finishing third as a $41 outsider.
"That worked quite well for Trekking a few years ago but I wouldn't guarantee Paulele will go into The Everest, irrespective of what he does on Saturday," Cox said.
"There are many other options for a colt like him if he is to score a place on our Darley stallion roster. You've got to weigh up all those things. The weather and the way the track is playing in Sydney will be huge factors in our decision.
"Ingratiating has come back well and goes to the Schillaci as well, but he too is a colt."
Given The Everest boasts no black-type value for its winner, a gelding like eight-year-old Kementari might end up racing for the $15m.
"He is certainly in the mix," Cox said.
One horse who can be ruled out of The Everest is the stable's class three-year-old In Secret, who last start ran a close second to Jacquinot in the G1 Golden Rose.
"We don't want to take such a young filly to a race against those tough sprinters, so she'll have a trial down the straight (at Flemington) and then have her next start in the Coolmore."
Copy: Racing.com