Tackling Group Ones on either side of the Tasman is nothing new for Ken and Bev Kelso, and they will do exactly that this weekend.
In Australia, the Matamata trainers will head to The Valley on Saturday to test the talent of their rising star Alabama Lass in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m).
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The four-year-old daughter of Alabama Express is unbeaten in Australia, having won her only start there in the Listed HKJC World Pool Sprint Classic (1100m) at Flemington in March, and the Kelsos have been pleased with the way she has returned following her spell.
“She spelled really well at Henley,” Ken Kelso said. “Sarah (Devcich) does a magnificent job there and she came back and put on about 40 kilos. She felt stronger and she is really thriving.
“I am really happy with her, she has really improved since that trial (winning her 1050m heat at Te Rapa last month), she is really flying. I couldn’t be happier with her going into the race.”
While pleased with his mare, Kelso said she faces a stiff task this weekend.
“They don’t give Group Ones away in a Weet-Bix package,” he said.
“We are testing the water. It is a big transition from a three-year-old filly up to weight-for-age.
“It has come up a really strong field. Normally the Moir is eight to 10 runners and this year it is a full field of 15, which is a lot of runners for Moonee Valley.”
Further elite-level targets await Alabama Lass in Melbourne this spring if she performs up to expectations.
“If she fired up and went really well, we have got the option of staying for the Manikato (Gr.1, 1200m) three weeks later. If not, she will come home, have a break and be set for the sprints here.”
Alabama Lass has already proven herself in those New Zealand sprints, finishing runner-up to Crocetti in the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) in January before turning the tables on her rival when winning the Gr.3 Kings Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day.
Stablemate Legarto has already tasted Group One success in Australia, having won the Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington two years ago.
She added a subsequent elite-level victory to her record last year when winning the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), and she will be seeking another when she heads to Ellerslie to contest the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) on Saturday.
She placed in the race two years ago and is favoured by TAB bookmakers to go two better on Saturday, sitting atop of the market at $4.80, alongside last year’s winner Grail Seeker.
Legarto will be first-up after finishing fifth behind Alabama Lass in her trial last month and subsequently had an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa 10 days ago.
“She came back in big order, which she is, she is a monster,” Kelso said.
“I thought her trial was okay. Her gallop between races she went with Wild Night and I was a little bit disappointed initially but then I found out what time they ran.
“I probably read too much into the gallop, but she has really improved since then.
“She is probably going to be a little bit vulnerable over 1400m. Ellerslie has not really been her go. They will know she is there.”
Kelso admits to being slightly nervous ahead of his Group One doubleheader on Saturday, but he is excited to have two quality mares lining up in their respective elite-level races.
“I am a bit nervous with a Group One on either side of the Tasman,” he said. “You are just privileged to have horses like this to be able to run in these sorts of races, and you have got to remind yourself of that.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
