Thursday, 5 July 2012:
A long-held theory about race distances is the only explanation trainer Gerald Ryan can find for Saramenha's recent return to form.
A two-time winner over 1100 metres, Ryan was convinced the filly was purely a sprinter after she failed twice when stepped up to 1400 metres.
But some advice from Jay Ford, who partnered her when she was unplaced over 1200m at Warwick Farm last month, gave Ryan cause for a rethink.
"She was a sprinter early and then we stretched her out to 1400 a couple of times and she failed to stay it," Ryan said.
"Then Jay Ford rode her two starts ago over 1200 metres and suggested going straight to the mile with her but the only race I could find was over 1500 metres."
Saramenha tackled that race and zoomed home down the outside to finish a half-neck second to stablemate Australian Star, her first placing since February.
"The good judges used to say the two hardest distances to win over were 1400 metres and 2000 metres," Ryan said.
"They reckon they are real specialist trips because 1400 isn't a sprint and it isn't a middle-distance, and 2000 metres isn't a middle-distance and it isn't a staying race."
Ryan believes that theory may explain why Saramenha didn't fire over 1400m but was able to produce some of her old spark over further.
She will again tackle 1500m at Rosehill on Saturday in the Rydges Parramatta Handicap.
With Ford in Brisbane and apprentice Josh Adams, her rider last start, committed to rival runner Our Girl Charlize, three-kilo claiming apprentice Shaun Guymer has picked up the mount.
Ryan says Saramenha has made good progress since her last run and she has drawn well in five.
"I don't do a lot with her but she's done well and the horse that beat her, Australian Star, came out and franked the form last Saturday," Ryan said.
The race has attracted a big field of 15 plus four emergencies, including the Pat and Wayne Webster-trained pair I Walk The Line and More Than A Cracker.
Leading trainer Chris Waller has three entries - Madam Nash, First Look and Matiya's Pride - along with first reserve Platinum Red.
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