Purcell content with Aloisia’s progress

1000 Guineas winner Aloisia has pleased trainer Aaron Purcell despite her last in a barrier trial.

Trainer Aaron Purcell is not fazed by the Cranbourne trial performance of highly fancied Australian Guineas hope Aloisia.

The filly finished last in the 800m trial on Monday, but Purcell said the hit-out was part of her fitness program ahead of The Vanity (1400m) at Flemington on February 17.

Aloisia is the $5.50 second favourite for the Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 3 having been displaced at the top of the market by Saturday’s Caulfield winner Cliffs Edge ($5).

Purcell said the Thousand Guineas winner had a good blow after Monday’s trial and he expected the filly to gain a lot of improvement.

“She wasn’t here to win or to show anyone up. She was here to do a strong piece of work, which she did,” Purcell said.

“She’ll have another strong piece of work at Caulfield next Tuesday and then she should be ready to go to The Vanity over 1400 metres.

“We’ve got four weeks to the Guineas and we think we’re on track.”

Despite settling at the tail of field and failing to pass a runner in the straight, Purcell said Aloisia’s final 400m was strong.

“This was about getting her away from Caulfield and they haven’t trialled here for a while so the ground was perfect,” Purcell said.

“The way the trial was run they went slow early and came home quickly, so her last 400 metres would have still been pretty sharp.”

Purcell has so far planned a three-run campaign for the filly who hasn’t raced since finishing sixth to Pinot in the VRC Oaks at Flemington in November.

After The Vanity she goes to the Australian Guineas and then to Sydney for the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill on March 31 after which a decision will be made whether she heads to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the ATC Australian Derby or the ATC Australian Oaks.