John Letts Medalist Jake Toeroek heads to Flemington Saturday chasing that illusive Group 1 victory with top South Australian mare See You In Heaven in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).
Flemington was the scene of Toeroek’s biggest career win when Kemalpasa won the Group 2 Linlithgow Stakes on Derby Day back in 2019.
He travels to Melbourne for the first time this spring teaming with classy mare See You In Heaven from this Richard and Chantelle Jolly stable, a $90,000 purchase at the 2021 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale who has been a dream for her ownership group.
A Group 3 winner at Flemington on debut, See You In Heaven has never raced below Listed level banking $827,070 from just 19 starts.
“Kemalpasa was obviously a great horse to me, but she would have to be up there,’’ Toeroek said.
“I haven’t been able to stick with her for various reasons, but I’m looking forward to getting there on Saturday.
“To win a Group 1 for the Jolly family would be very special,’’ he said.
See You In Heaven won the Group 3 Behemoth Stakes first-up from a spell back in August before she finished fourth behind Second To Nun in the Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes.
Her past two runs in Melbourne have been solid, she was beaten four lengths behind Grinzinger Belle in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes before again chasing home the mare in the Group 3 Ladies Day Vase at Moonee Valley last time out.
Despite her consistent form and great record, she’s marked a $34 chance in a race loaded with depth.
“To be honest I think this is the best we’ve had her, she hasn’t had any issues with her feet this time around,’’ Toeroek said.
“She felt really good this Thursday morning and goes over in great order,’’ he said.
The Chris Waller-trained Atishu sits at the top of the market as a $4.60 favourite ahead of former WA mare Amelia’s Jewel chasing a breakthrough win for the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald stable, while Kiwi mare Orchestral is trying to turn her spring around in the feature.
“She’s not in great at the weights against some of these top mares in a genuine Group 1 race, but you’ve got to be in it to win it,’’ Toeroek said
“I had a look at the stats and barrier 10 has a good record in the race, hopefully that can continue on Saturday,’’ he said.
