Easier test for Miss Leonidas at Caulfield

Miss Leonidas’ (l) close 2nd to Nature Strip will stand her in good stead for G2 race at Caulfield.

The question surrounding Miss Leonidas is whether she can repeat the performance of a narrow second to Nature Strip at her most recent start.

If she can, it will take her a long way towards winning the Group Two Caulfield Sprint (1000m) on Saturday.

Miss Leonidas ran Nature Strip to a short neck in the Group One Moir Stakes at The Valley on September 27.

Subsequently Nature Strip gained a berth in the $14 million The Everest on Saturday for which he is a $26 chance against the ilk of Santa Ana Lane, Redzel, Arcadia Queen and Pierata.

On the other hand, Miss Leonitas drops in grade for her contest on Saturday and is currently listed as the $3.70 favourite.

Stephen Baster retains the ride on the Bendigo-trained mare, one of just two rides the jockey has at Caulfield on Saturday.

Baster said with a bit more luck going his way, Miss Leonidas could be a Group One winner.

“I haven’t had that much to do with her,” Baster said.

“I rode her in one of her very early starts and I hadn’t seen her for a long time, but she run super the other night.

“She raced to his outside but he just skipped off the turn a bit too well for her.

“I couldn’t quite get to his outside in the straight and he shifted out a bit as well and in the end we just couldn’t get him, but it was still a great run.

“If she can run up to that run again, then she’s got to be a good chance on Saturday.”

The prospects of Miss Leonidas have been enhanced with the scratching of speedster I Am Immortal.

Miss Leonidas holds favouritism from the Hawkes Racing-trained God Of Thunder ($4), a last-start second over 955m at The Valley.