Black Opal possibly on card For Me Dad

Osborne confirmed he would nominate For Me Dad in the $275,000 Group 3 Black Opal Stakes for her next start. But he admitted the 1200-metre trip might be too far for the Choisir filly, so he may delay her next run by a week and enter her in a two-year-old race over 1000m at Wagga.

Osborne is building For Me Dad towards the Wellington Boot, having taken out that race last year with I Am Snippety.

Sadly, I Am Snippety was euthanised after breaking her off-foreleg in her next appearance while leading the $200,000 Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) at Randwick.

Osborne feels For Me Dad can deliver his second successive win in Wellington's flagship race.

"It might be a bit kinder on her going to Wagga, and then to the Boot," he said.

"The 1100 just might suit her a bit better at this stage of her career, until she learns to settle a bit more."

For Me Dad worked hard on her way to the lead of the Lightning Ridge (1000m) in her last start at Canberra when second-up. Despite fading in the straight to finish seventh, Osborne took plenty of positives out of her performance.

"She drew the outside [barrier], ran in the air, crossed and led by four or five lengths, and only got beat three-and-a-half [lengths] in the end," he said.

"She missed the kick and fired up, and went forward, but just went a bit too hard. If that didn't cost her four or five lengths, I'll give it away."

Prior to the Lightning Ridge, For Me Dad made her debut at Dubbo (1000m), finishing behind Alart.

For Me Dad is one of three siblings out of a race-winning Falbrav mare. Four-year-old, Zero De Brave was the first foaled of the three, and has proved reliable with a 59 per cent place strike rate. The second, Nicof, is now three years old and won her second race in just her fifth career outing a week ago at Cowra.

For Me Dad is the youngest of the trio and Osborne believes she has the most natural ability. "You'll be hearing more from her. That's for sure."