Grahame Begg has described the Cranbourne trial of Passive Aggressive as outstanding as the unbeaten mare ran away from some quality opposition on Tuesday.
Trialling in preparation for her return in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 27, Passive Aggressive was under a tight rein in defeating Forgot You by 4-½ lengths over 990m.
“Outstanding. You can’t describe it any other way. She did it so effortlessly,” Begg said.
Passive Aggressive was last seen winning the Listed Creswick Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in June.
Given time initially in the stable before heading to the beach for a couple of easy weeks, Passive Aggressive came back looking ‘$1 million dollars’ according to Begg and had kept a summer coat.
Begg will see how Passive Aggressive returns in the Cockram but is mindful of not giving the recently turned four-year-old a taxing spring.
He said the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on September 10 could be on the agenda.
“I’ve been a bit reluctant about wanting to throw her in against the hard edge just at this stage as she’s only had the four starts,” Begg said.
“At this stage she’s going to kick off in the mares’ set-weights and penalties race and we’ll see how she shapes up in that race.
“A race I thought might be suitable, and try and beat the handicapper in a sense, is a race like the Bobbie Lewis up the straight.
“It’s a quality handicap and being a mare, she will be in on the limit, and it could be a very inviting race.”
Two of Begg’s other big spring hopes, Nonconformist and Lunar Flare clashed in the second trial of the morning over 1190m, with Nonconformist leading home his stablemate by a length.
Both are due to also run at Caulfield on August 27 with Nonconformist heading to the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) and Lunar Flare to the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m).
Begg said it was a nice day out for Nonconformist.
“Even though he’s better on top of the ground, we got early use of the track and he seemed to get through it very nicely and stretched his legs,” Begg said.
