Beautiful Grace has already shown she’s a fighter and now she looks primed for a shot at Group 3 success.
The promising sprinter will start from box one in the second of four Coffex Coffee Oaks (515m) heats at Angle Park on Thursday night.
Bosko Stamenkovic’s handy chaser has won four of her first starts and has gone sub-30 seconds for the distance already at the Adelaide track.
A kidney problem sidelined her for about six months earlier this year and Stamenkovic said he was delighted she was back in action.
“We were worried about her, especially at the beginning, but she has come back well,” the trainer said.
“We could have brought her back earlier, but we have been aiming her for the Oaks.
“I’ve got no worries with her for the distance (and) she is boxed to go well.”
Beautiful Grace is one of three heat hopefuls for Stamenkoic, who works out of the Adelaide suburb of Two Wells.
Mobius (heat one) has won on her last two visits to Angle Park and is running consistently around the 30-second mark for the 515m.
Boojerooma goes in heat three on the back of a win at the track last time out and with a decent chance of making the final.
“I think Boojerooma and Beautiful Grace are both boxed to go well,” Stamenkovic said. “Really, I would not be surprised if all three made it to the final.
“The fields are evenly matched so I think anything can happen.”
Miss Sueko will carry NSW hopes after trainer Justin King decided to try his luck south.
She starts the third heat on the back of a solid rather than spectacular recent run at Wentworth Park over the 520m.
Others to watch in the heats include Mepunga Hayley, who won the Group 1 Hudson Pacific Maturity Classic (525m) at The Meadows back in July.
The $25,000-to-the-winner final takes place next Thursday.
Stamenkovic said he was still motivated after almost 40 years’ involvement with the sport.
“I like the challenge of the sport,” the 57-year-old said. “That keeps keeps me going, whether it’s getting the best out of a good one or trying to improve a slower one.
“I probably spend more time with the slow ones than the faster ones. I get more nervous at the thought of winning a Maiden in the country than a decent one in the city.
“They all have different personalities and I love trying to figure them out.”
Racing starts at 7.14pm.
For Angle Park Thursday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
