Matilija Looks To Chime With Bell Stakes

Time/Date - 14.30hrs local time/Saturday, April 4, 2015 Racecourse/Country - Royal Randwick/Australia
Surface/Distance - Turf/6f

Matilija races at Royal Randwick, Australia, for the first time in the Group Three Dilmah Tea P J Bell Stakes over six furlongs on Saturday, April 4.

All three of her appearances so far have been at Moonee Valley and the Lee & Anthony Freedman-trained filly ran on strongly to take third on her Pattern debut in the Group Three Simpson Construction Typhoon Tracy Stakes, also over six furlongs, on February 27.

The three-year-old gained a pair of wins over five furlongs, scoring by a nose in a handicap on February 6 and easily taking a maiden in February, 2014.

James McDonald rides the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro for the first time.

Anthony Freedman commented: "Matilija transferred to Kevin Moses' stable in Sydney early in the week. I have been very pleased with her following her break - we have kept the work up to her and she has worked strongly each week.

"Tuesday's gallop was excellent and the barrier draw has been very kind to us in gate seven. I am adding winkers to her as I was very pleased with her work in them on Tuesday.

"So long as the trip up to Sydney goes well and she settles in, I am expecting her to do very well."

Matilija faces 12 other three-year-old fillies headed by recent Listed scorers Peeping and Pittsburgh Flyer, plus Group Three winner Nayeli.