The first Australian two year -old race of the new season was run at Flemington on Wednesday with the $50,000 VRC Darley Spring Preview (900m) going to speedy Nicconi filly Cavalla.
Trained by Mick Price and Mick Kent Jr, Cavalla jumped well from barrier one for Patrick Moloney, but was restrained to take a sit behind the leaders.
When angled into clear running at the business end of the race she found the front and held off a determined bid from the Godolphin entry Contemporary (2c Exceed and Excel x Memorial) to win by a head.
“Mildred won this race and then backed up to win the Maribyrnong Trial, so if Grahame Begg could do it, we might have a look at it,” said Mick Price.
“She’s a solid workmanlike two year-old filly that has not missed a beat and will train on.”
Mildred also won the Group III MRC Chairmans Stakes as an autumn two year-old, placed in the Group II ATC Reisling Stakes and contested the Golden Slipper.
The race was won last year by General Beau and he also backed up into the Maribyrnong Trial finishing second before coming back in the autumn to win both Blue Diamond Previews, so this early season scamper is proving a genuine guide to Black Type success in the future.
Cavalla was a $130,000 Magic Millions purchase for Mick Price Racing from the KBL Thoroughbreds draft and was bred by Bowcock Bloodstock.
She is the last foal from their good producing stakes-winner Bella Corona, who has left eight winners from eight runners headed by Bewhatyouwannabe.
Cavalla’s sire Nicconi stands at Widden Stud Victoria this spring at a fee of $27,500.
