Racing fans at Te Rapa on Saturday will have the added bonus of seeing classy mare Levante have a hit-out between races as she builds towards a trip to Melbourne.
The Ken and Bev Kelso-trained mare won a trial at Waipa recently and is being set for the Gr.1 Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on November 5.
The multiple Group One winner last raced back in March when fourth in the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m). She was clearly the first runner home on the grandstand side of the straight course, and her New Zealand form was franked by rival Roch ‘N’ Horse, who won the time-honoured race and has continued to perform well this spring.
“She has an exhibition gallop tomorrow with Belle En Rouge between races three and four and all going well we will travel over to Melbourne on the Wednesday before the race, so it is the same sort of scenario as what we did last time,” Kelso said.
“It is a hit and run mission and it is the last race of the carnival virtually.
“She is going to go into it fresh. We realise it is a big call but her fresh record is very good and all going well with her exhibition gallop tomorrow in company, we shouldn’t be far away.
“Mick Dee is going to ride her in the Champions Sprint and he rode her in the Newmarket. He knows her now that he has had a ride on her and he looks like he is in good form after winning the Caulfield Cup (Gr.1, 2400m on Durston).
