For Me Dad is still a maiden leading into the toughest race of her short career at Wellington on Sunday, but trainer Neil Osborne believes she's a big chance for a breakthrough win.
Following two seconds in the country and a seventh in the $30,000 Lightning Ridge at Canberra, For Me Dad will contest the $100,000 Wellington Boot (1100m).
Osborne has always had Wellington's flagship race on the radar for the two-year-old.
For Me Dad has led in all three career starts so far, only to fade, but Osborne believes a gear change could change her fortunes.
"I've taken the blinkers off her for Sunday for the first time, and I think that will let her race a little bit kinder, and she will see the other horses coming," Osborne said.
The speedy youngster has drawn well in barrier five, which will give her every opportunity to take her spot at the front of the pack.
Osborne is pleased to have Luke Cavallo riding For Me Dad.
"He's ridden her twice now for two seconds," Osborne said. "He also rides well at Wellington, which is important because it's a tricky little track.
"You're sort of turning as you start, then you're going up the hill. It drops about 10 metres from the top of the straight to the winning post, and they climb up that 10 metres from the start."
Osborne respects the class of the field but knows his Choisir filly will take some running down.
"Alart's going to be hard to beat, and [Gary] Portelli's horse [Racy] but they'll know she's there," he said. "It's quite hard to get past, as the track does suit leaders."
