Turaath open to improvement in Australia Stakes as trainer Maddie Raymond eyes Group 1 CF Orr

Maddie Raymond under no illusions about the task ahead for Turaath in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) but bring on the autumn.

Turaath winning the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes last spring. Picture: Racing Photos

Maddie Raymond is hoping stable star Turaath will enhance her autumn credentials in Saturday’s Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.

Despite conceding the All Star Mile nominated, spring Group 2 winner will be better placed in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400) next start, Turaath would benefit from an expected fast-run Australia Stakes.

Turaath ran fifth first-up at Flemington in the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) — 1-1/2 lengths behind straight specialist Halvorsen.

“We were wrapped with her run, honestly, she’s not a 1200m horse, she’ll be better over 1400m but it does take a couple of runs to get her eye in,” Raymond said.

“I thought she was fantastic first-up, did everything right but I still think she was looking for a bit of a rail to ping off.

He's done it again!

Emulating the efforts of Super Impressive in '03 & '05, Halvorsen claims the Standish Handicap for the second time in three years.@GriffithsdeKock@[e-mail]/eeWfp5HPlU

— Racing.com (@Racing) January 15, 2022

“She changed legs a few times and had that head up a little bit, didn‘t 100 per cent let down... waiting to corner, so I think she’ll be better again at Moonee Valley.”

Reigning Australia Stakes winner Streets Of Avalon trained on to win the CF Orr last year.

With electric Marabi the likely leader, Turaath, who must navigate a wide draw, will be among horses poised for an upset should the favourite falter.

“There‘ll be no rush to get her out and chasing a hot speed, a couple horses in there could go forward, obviously Marabi being the obvious one, and we’ve drawn out wide,” Raymond said.

“I‘d have no issues with her settling a little further back, it does make it hard for her to win from back there at The Valley over 1200m with horses that fast.

“But we know we‘re going into the race with improvement to come and obviously the Orr in mind.

“We‘re looking forward to getting her to 1400m but I can’t wait to see what she does over a mile.”

With Turaath unlikely to get enough votes to qualify for the All Star Mile on March 19, Raymond must consider the ‘win and you’re in’ Futurity Stakes next month or sweat on a wildcard entry.

Originally published as Turaath open to improvement in Australia Stakes as trainer Maddie Raymond eyes Group 1 CF Orr