Innovation Girl shows her class in Ballarat barrier trial
From AAP Racing 12/07/02

Brilliant Rubiton stablemates Rubitano, Prince Rubiton and Innovation Girl pleased trainer Brian Mayfield-Smith with wins in their respective barrier trials at Ballarat today.

Innovation Girl won her 800m trial in 49.8 seconds, comfortably beating Silent Senorita in slow going.

"She's half fit, but she jumped out well, led them easily and won by two lengths," Mayfield-Smith said.

Last start Newmarket Hcp winner Rubitano won his 800m trial in 50s, beating Yo Yo Ma by two lengths, while JRA Stakes winner Prince Rubiton took out his heat in 49.8s.

Jockey Nash Rawiller rode all three sprinters.

The fastest winner of the 800m heats was the Mark Young-trained three-year-old colt Calling O'Reilly in 49.4s. Calling O'Reilly, a Moonee Valley 1200m winner, beat Red Clay by a length.

Innovation Girl won her first three starts but Mayfield-Smith ruled her out of the Blue Diamond and spelled immediately after she was beaten a short-head by Yell in the Veuve Clicquot (1100m) at Caulfield on February 16.

At the time Mayfield-Smith said that Innovation Girl wasn't forward enough to win the Blue Diamond and that she would benefit more from a spell.

"She's come back problem free and she has her whole three-year-old season ahead of her now," said Mayfield-Smith.

Innovation Girl might have another trial at Cranbourne on July 26, along with Rubitano and Prince Rubiton, before she is aimed at the early spring three-year-old fillies features next month.

But Mayfield-Smith admitted he was tempted to run the two-year-old in the Group Three $70,000 Dermody Stakes (1000m) at Cheltenham on July 27.

The Dermody is a set-weights event for two and three-year-olds.

"I haven't made up my mind yet," Mayfield-Smith said.

The Flemington trainer believes Innovation Girl shapes as though she will handle at least 1400 metres this preparation.

Mayfield-Smith plans to set different sprint paths for stablemates Rubitano and Prince Rubiton this spring but was yet to finalise plans.

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