Kerry Parker will give Heartlings a midweek run at Warwick Farm instead of a start in Saturday’s Group 2 Light Fingers (1200m) before potentially aiming the filly at the Arrowfield Kembla Grange Classic.
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The Kembla trainer had nominated the three-year-old for the Black Type feature at Randwick this weekend, but opted to stick with Wednesday’s Schweppes Handicap (1200m) after the barrier draw.
Heartlings is returning from a spell with the hope of targeting better races later this preparation.
She was handed barrier one and will be ridden by in-form jockey Tim Clark on Wednesday.
“It is always a little bit harder when you are taking on the older mares but we need her to run well in this to know where we are at with her,” Parker said.
Parker had hoped to pursue Group-level racing for Heartings last preparation, but pulled the pin before the spring and sent his filly to the paddock.
“She was still a little immature so we thought we would give her the spring off and aim her at the Autumn,” Parker said.
“Her aim would be to go around on Wednesday then target a three-year-old 1400m race in a couple of weeks then go to the [Kembla Grange Classic].”
Parker was the only Kembla trainer to have a runner in the Illawarra Turf Club’s feature race last year.
Heartlings could lead his pursuit of Kembla’s biggest race in 2016.
The filly has currently only made three careers starts and is yet to race at Group level.
She scored by a convincing 2-½ lengths at her last start at the Queen’s Birthday meeting at Randwick on June 8.
Since then, the lightly-raced daughter of Pendragon has continued to grow into her frame.
“She has filled out nice,” Parker said.
“She has always been a nice size filly but she has strengthened herself up a little more.
“All in all I am happy going in.
“We should be able to find out where she sits because at the moment we are only going off winter form.”
Meanwhile, fellow Kembla trainer Melissa Harrison has also nominated for the Schweppes Handicap.
Mydream will jump from barrier five under the urging of last season’s Kembla Grange champion apprentice Jess Taylor.
The five-year-old mare has failed to place in five runs this preparation, but has won twice previously at mid-week meetings at the Western Sydney track.
Mydream was listed as a $26 fixed odds hope with Bet365 on Tuesday while Heartlings was $8.50.