All eyes on Belle Couture's conqueror

Tuesday 31 December 2013, 4:18pm

Trainer Greg Eurell has one Flemington runner but there will be plenty of punters wanting to see how Paddy's Gem backs up after her win over Black Caviar's little sister Belle Couture.

Paddy's Gem has pulled up well after her maiden victory at Bendigo on December 22 with Eurell saying she is ready to take the next step.

At Bendigo she outlasted the Danny O'Brien-trained Belle Couture, a $2.6 million yearling purchase.

Paddy's Gem comes up against another O'Brien runner Mokoro who will start the short-priced favourite for the New Year Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday.

But Eurell can claim a victory against Mokoro as well with his filly Harquila proving too strong at Flemington on December 7.

"It's interesting how it works," said Eurell.

"She goes good Mokoro, especially at her home track at Flemington, but our girl is in good order and came through her run at Bendigo really well.

"It looks a nice race for her to make that next step."

I'm An Outoftowner, who ran third behind Paddy's Gem at Bendigo, will get another crack at her over the 1200m journey.

Eurell said Paddy's Gem is likely to sit just off the speed and look for some cover down the Flemington straight.

"She's still new to racing and they can get a little lost down the straight," said Eurell.

He said Brad Rawiller, who rode her at Bendigo, was keen to maintain an association.

"If she gets the job done it may give us some breathing space," he said.

"We might give her a quick freshen-up and there might be a nice race leading into the autumn for her."

– AAP

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