Barbara Joseph is confident popular mare Belong To Many can make her last start for the stable a winning one. The horse with 800 owners will be put through the Inglis Sales in Sydney next week, meaning today's Group2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Randwick is likely to be her last for trainer Joseph.
Some of Australia's leading studs will bid for Belong To Many, who will likely fetch about $350,000 in the sales ring.
Even if the new owner decided to continue racing the five-year-old before sending her to stud, there are no guarantees Joseph would remain as the trainer.
While she can only sit and wait to see what happens at the sales, Joseph believes she has the mare primed for another win in today's $150,000 race.Belong To Many has had a consistent campaign, which has netted one win and three minor placings from four starts.
And while she faces some handy sprinting fillies and mares today, Joseph has no doubt her charge will figure in the finish.
''This race should suit her down to the ground,'' Joseph said.''Judged will be very hard to beat but mine has trained on very well since her last run and is meeting some of these horses three-and-four kilograms better at the weights.''She's been working terrific, doing everything right and should give a very strong performance I'd say.''Belong To many lugged 59kg to victory in a Listed race two starts back before finishing second to Gamble Me in the Group3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill a fortnight ago with 59.5kg.Several of the runners in today's race contested both of those races but don't drop in weight as Belong To Many does. She will carry 57kg.Win, lose or draw this afternoon, Joseph will have to wait to see if she gets another opportunity to enjoy more success with the daughter of Belong To Me.
''I'm just hoping I get to train her, if the buyer wants to keep racing her, but I'll have no say in it,'' she said.''She's been a wonderful horse and has so much more racing in her if they want to go on but it's obviously their decision.''Joseph will also saddle up talented youngster Logan's Choice at Randwick today.
The three-year-old filly is on trial for a start in the Group1 AJC Oaks (2500m) when she contests the Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) this afternoon.
Should she win today, Joseph would likely push on with Oaks plans.
If not, the horse will be sent to the paddock.
Logan's Choice finished second to Tobique in the Canberra Guineas last month before failing in the Listed Keith Nolan Classic (1600m) at Kembla Grange last start, finishing 13th of 16 runners.
But Joseph recommended punters dismiss her last performance.''She was ridden upside down the other day, she missed the kick then hunted up and took Gai's horse [Above Perfection] on for the lead,'' the trainer said.
''They ran 33-and-a-bit for the first 600m and that was the end for her.''This race is her first go over 2000m to see if she can get the distance or whether she's a 1400m-1600m horse.''Joseph will only push on to the Oaks if Logan's Choice wins today.The $600,000 AJC Oaks is to be run at Randwick next Saturday.