SEABROOK is attempting to become the first filly to win the Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) during spring when the three-year-old classic is run at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
The only filly to win the Golden Race since its inception in 2003 was Forensics in 2008 but the race was held in autumn as a one-off that year due to the equine influenza outbreak.
The Golden Rose has continued to elude fillies during spring although Speak Fondly (2015) and Champagne Cuddles (2017) have run second in recent years.
Seabrook, trained at Caulfield by Mick Price, is adept the Sydney way of going having won the Group 1 Champagne Stakes and Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes at Randwick last autumn, and is at $15 in early TAB Fixed Odds betting behind Graff, the $4 favourite.
“We galloped the reverse way of going on Saturday morning at Caulfield and she worked super,’’ Price said of Seabrook.
“She will go up to Sydney on (Wednesday) night, stay at Gerald Ryan’s and will take her place in the field. Damien Oliver is coming up for the ride.’’
Price and Oliver will bring Group 1-winning form to Sydney on Saturday after combining with Grunt to win the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington last Saturday.
Oliver has now ridden a national record 110 Group 1 winners during his celebrated career including the 2010 Golden Rose on another Victorian raider, Toorak Toff.
Price admitted he felt Seabrook’s comeback effort when third to Native Soldier in the McNeil Stakes earlier this month was a “little plain”.
“I thought she could have finished a bit closer to them,’’ the trainer said.
“But she has improved off that run, I’m happy with her. I just hope we can draw a gate.’’
The final field and barrier draw for the Golden Rose will be conducted this morning.