Thames Court heading to Toorak

Another Group One handicap is on the immediate horizon for lightly raced mare Thames Court at Caulfield.

The David Brideoake-trained Thames Court is set to contest Saturday’s Toorak Handicap (1600m) with Corey Brown in the saddle.

She is one of 15 entries for the Toorak which include last-start Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner Bon Aurum.

Thames Court has had an unlucky start to her spring campaign, finishing second twice in mares’ stakes races before running fourth in the Sir Rupert Clarke at Caulfield on September 24.

Brideoake says he can’t fault Thames Court and all she needs is a change of luck.

“She’s come through the race beautifully so we’ve got the idea that we’ll go to the Toorak,” Brideoake said.

“She ran beautifully and with a little bit more luck she could have run a bit better.”

Brown is returning to Melbourne from his Singapore base to ride Revolving Door in the Caulfield Guineas on Saturday and Brideoake is happy to have him on Thames Court again.

After winning on debut on the Pakenham synthetic track in August last year, Thames Court finished third behind Don’t Doubt Mamma at Caulfield.

She had three autumn starts highlighted by a Group Three win in the Alexandra Stakes.

Thames Court jarred up when last in the Laelia Stakes at Morphettville in April and was again sent for a break..

Brideoake said Thames Court had already had a good campaign and longer term he is looking to the Myer Stakes at Flemington on the first day of the Melbourne Cup carnival.

“It’s a pretty outstanding effort to run second in the Cockram and second in the Let’s Elope and then perform so well in Sir Rupert Clarke,” Brideoake said.

“I think the mile will be her go so the Toorak into the Myer would be a nice way to go.”

Former Japanese horse Tosen Stardom is also among the Toorak entries after missing a start in the George Main Stakes at Randwick earlier this month when he needed stitches in a cut suffered on the trip from Melbourne to Sydney.