Te Akau Racing to aim Sans Doute at the Group 3 How Now Stakes at Caulfield

A luckless spring could end on a high if Sans Doute finds clear running in the Group 3 How Now Stakes at Caulfield.

A little personal space is all the talented mare Sans Doute could need to find her best form in Saturday’s Group 3 How Now Stakes at Caulfield.

Sans Doute has raced steadily without winning during the spring after the Mark Walker-trained mare strung together four straight wins at Flemington during the autumn.

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Te Akau Racing’s Melbourne representative Ben Gleeson said a few things had gone against Sans Doute in the spring, including when the mare finished five lengths from the winner at her last start on Victoria Derby Day.

“She’s had a pretty stiff preparation,” Gleeson said.

“She’s found wet tracks and no luck in running.”

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Gleeson said Sans Doute didn’t have a clear run at the leaders when finishing 11th at Flemington but the five-year-old’s racing habits didn’t help her cause.

“She didn’t get out,” he said.

“But she’s probably not a horse that loves to go through gaps.

“All her wins have been when she has been able to get out and run home.”

Sans Doute will have her final start for the spring in the Group 3 How Now Stakes at Caulfield. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

A smaller field of 13 runners could help Sans Doute find the racing room she needs in the How Now Stakes.

Drawing barrier three is a slight negative for Sans Doute but the How Now Stakes field could fan out in the straight in the last race of Saturday’s 10-race card at Caulfield.

“We’re just hoping to draw a good get and get her out into the clear and I think you’ll see the real Sans Doute,” Gleeson said.

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The Te Akau camp will spell Sans Doute after Saturday’s $200,000 contest.

Gleeson said the five-year-old would be prominent in Te Akau’s autumn planning.

“I guess we want to try to keep her mind for the autumn,” Gleeson said.

“She’s going to get in with a nice rating in something like the Oakleigh Plate.

“If she can round out this prep with a win, it would be a good tick, and she’s probably a better horse in the autumn as well.”

Ladbrokes rated Sans Doute as a $10 chance in early How Now Stakes betting.

Originally published as Te Akau Racing to aim Sans Doute at the Group 3 How Now Stakes at Caulfield