Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed will take the first public methods in direction of her defence of the title with a gallop amongst races at Morphettville on Saturday.

The mare is trained on the Adelaide track but trainer Leon Macdonald says the raceday atmosphere will assist perk her up ahead of a initial-up tilt at the Spring Stakes a week later.

Stable jockey Clare Lindop will ride Southern Pace in her two property town begins in the Group Three Spring Stakes (1200m) and Listed Penny Edition (1400m) on August 25.

Lindop has won 3 races on Southern Speed but Craig Williams got the nod to ride her in the Caulfield Cup and was aboard again for her autumn campaign in Melbourne and Sydney.

“She will gallop following Saturday among races and that will stir her up,” Macdonald mentioned.

“She’s going very properly and I think she’s much better than she was final yr.

“She will have two starts here and then go to Melbourne for the Makybe Diva which will inform us in which she is at.

“There is no dedication yet on a jockey for Melbourne.”

The handicapper will determine regardless of whether Southern Pace defends the Caulfield Cup and Macdonald has not ruled out the Cox Plate.

“I believe she is a fat-for-age performer,” he mentioned.

“But if she will get what I hope – around 54 to 54-1/2 kilograms – in the Caulfield Cup, then we will have a go at the race once more.

“The Makybe Diva will be the race that tells us what to do.”

The Group Two Makybe Diva (1600m) is at Flemington on September 8.

Southern Pace was denied a Group One weight-for-age win when she was beaten a nose in the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in March.

She then finished fifth in two Sydney begins in the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and BMW (2400m), both won by Manighar.

“I never assume she was at her leading in Sydney,” Macdonald mentioned.

“Perhaps she didn’t have a prolonged adequate break in between the spring and the autumn.

“She’s had a bit longer this time and I am content.”

Of the six horse to have won two Caulfield Cups, only two – Poseidon (1906/07) and Growing Quickly (1954/55) – have recorded back to back victories.