Petition chasing first stakes race win

Petition missed a start in last year’s Group One Myer Classic but the talented mare will be out to enhance her prospects for this year’s edition when she runs in the Group Two Let’s Elope Stakes.

The Anthony Freedman-trained mare’s autumn campaign was cut short after one start after which she had to undergo colic surgery.

The five-year-old showed she had returned in good form with a fourth in the Group Three Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on September 1 and she steps to 1400m at Flemington in Saturday’s Let’s Elope, chasing a first win at stakes level.

Petition was balloted out of last year’s Myer Classic (1600m), won by stablemate Shoals, and the race on November 3 is a target this year.

“That’s the aim,” Freedman’s racing manager Brad Taylor said.

“She would need to win a race before then, I’d imagine, to get into the race.

“She was balloted out last year so she probably needs to lift her rating just a touch to make the field, but everything indicates she’ll run well on Saturday.

“Up to 1400 metres at Flemington is certainly going to suit her.”

Taylor said connections were pleased with Petition’s first-up run and believe she would strip fitter for Saturday.

“She just got squeezed out of a gap halfway down the straight and it probably cost her running maybe a length closer,” he said.

“She only had the one run in the autumn and she had a long time off so she has certainly improved out of that run.

“Jye McNeil galloped her on the course proper at Mornington on Tuesday and felt that she’s taken good improvement.

“Her coat has started to turn now and it looks a nice winnable race for her.”