Extra Distance To Suit Matilija At Sandown

Time/Date 17.55hrs local time/Saturday, November 14
Course/Country Sandown/Australia
Surface/Distance Turf/1500m

A step up in distance could be the key to a return to winning form for Matilija in the G3 Summoned Stakes at Sandown in Melbourne on Saturday November 14.

And if her breeding is any guide, Matilija (Lee and Anthony Freedman/James McDonald) will handle it with ease.

After moderate performances at her first two runs this time in, Matilija showed a glimpse of her best form when fourth behind Pittsburgh Flyer in a G3 mares races over 1100m down the Flemington straight on November 5.

"We were pretty pleased to see her run as well as she did because she's a talented mare," trainer Lee Freedman said.

Matilija displayed her abilities at the earliest opportunity, winning on debut as a two-year-old at Moonee Valley in the autumn of 2014 before encountering a problem that kept her out of racing for 12 months.

On her return to the track she indicated her recovery was complete with narrow but convincing victory again at Moonee Valley.

A couple more placings in G3 company followed last autumn before she departed for a winter break.

"She ran fairly well at her first couple of starts this time around and then ran into some good ones at Caulfield," Freedman said.

"She then did very nicely last time out and we're expecting further improvement here."

Matilijia is out of the stakes-winning Red Ransom mare Romneya who is a half-sister to the VRC Derby winner Benicio, a pedigree that suggests distances beyond Saturday's should suit.

"The way she finished off at Flemington last start supports that. She was very good late and should appreciate this track and distance," her trainer said.

Matilija meets an even field including the promising mare Mefnooda and the classy Ballet Suite.