Trainer Ken Kelso was wearing a wide smile as he left Te Rapa racecourse on Saturday afternoon after witnessing his two stable stars provide him with suitable evidence they are both on target to kick off their Spring campaigns in fine fashion.
He and wife Bev lined up Alabama Lass and Legarto in the 1050m open class trial with rider Lynsey Satherley never letting Alabama Lass out of second gear as she led all the way to defeat Ardalio and Sacred Satono, while stayer Sharp N Smart shaded Legarto for fourth as they made up good ground in the closing stages.
Kelso has his sights set on a Melbourne raid for Alabama Lass who closed her three-year-old year in late March with a victory in the Listed Moomba Plate (1100m) at Flemington in the hands of Craig Williams.
He is delighted with how the now four-year-old mare has come back a bigger and better specimen for the new season.
“That was a very nice trial as she has really grown and thickened up during the break and looks fantastic,” Kelso said.
“I got Lynsey to ride her today as she had ridden her in a trial before the Railway (Gr.1, 1200m) last year so had some knowledge of her. She came back in and couldn’t believe how much she had developed.
“She (Alabama Lass) did exactly what we wanted and I think we will follow Plan A which is to take her to Melbourne to tackle the Moir Stakes (Gr.1, 1000m) at The Valley first up on 6 September.
“There is a bit of water to go under the bridge but at this stage it is likely Craig Williams will take the ride on her again.
“We are thinking if she goes well we might stay on and tackle the Manikato (Gr.1, 1200m) three weeks later, but that is only a thought at this stage.”
Kelso was also satisfied with Legarto who settled near last for rider Vinnie Colgan and made up good ground in the final 400m.
“Legarto needed the run and she will have an exhibition gallop, or possibly a trial, before we take her to Ellerslie for the Proisir Plate (Gr.1, 1400m) on the 6th of September,” he said.
“The plan with her is to tackle the three races of the Spring Triple Crown which has two legs at Ellerslie this year. The money is very good and she will appreciate stepping up in distance over the series.
“Some might say she doesn’t go as well at Ellerslie as she has only won one of her four starts there, but the other three races saw her run second to Desert Lightning in the Aotearoa Classic, second to El Vencedor in the Bonecrusher (Gr.1, 2000m) along with finishing third in the New Zealand Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m).
“There are plenty who would be well satisfied with a record like that.”
With renovations making the Hastings track unavailable to host the traditional Spring Triple Crown, the Gr.1 Prosier Plate, Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) will be held at Ellerslie on 6 September, Te Rapa on 27 September and Ellerslie on 18 October, respectively. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
