Trainers Sam and Anthony Freedman had nominated La Mexican for the Bletchingly Stakes first up however went against running the filly.
Sam Freedman cited a lack of fitness for not running her in the 1200m Group 3 contest and instead elected to run her in the Franklin Handicap over 1100m instead with the aim of kick starting her preparation.
The Franklin Handicap with see La Mexicana resume at Benchmark 90 level on Saturday however the greater aim for the filly and stable is to compete at Group 1 level in an upcoming spring campaign.
A daughter of I Am Invincible has already achieved black type success this season with a Group 3 win back in February, but her training partnership are looking for bigger wins before the season is out.
“She’s got a nice rating for what she has run in and won,” Freedman said.
“Saturday is a nice first-up race that will lead her into the Aurie’s Star (Handicap) and potentially to a Memsie or a Rupert Clarke or something like that.
“She’s got that black type already and the only real benefit to her pedigree would be a Group Two or Group One (win).
“We’ll look to try to get a Group One win with her but they don’t give them away for free.”
La Mexicana has had Group 1 experience before when competing in the G1 Surround Stakes at Randwick. However things didn’t go to plan that day after a fractious barrier load saw her run below par.
“Interestingly, just in her work, she’s a lot more relaxed this preparation,” Freedman said.
“She seems to be maturing and calming down so I think she’s giving herself every chance to be running a strong 1400m later on.”
Jamie Kah, who has won six races from eight rides on La Mexicana, will again be aboard the smart filly at Caulfield.
La Mexicana currently sits the $3.30 second favourite for the Franklin Handicap behind Miss Albania at $2.40.