Last Saturday, Caulfield held its first meeting of the new season, with the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes headlining the program. Meanwhile, Rosehill’s meeting featured several spring contenders who returned for their first run of the campaign. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we focus on three runners from Melbourne and Sydney who produced encouraging efforts and will play a role in feature races throughout the spring carnival.
Caulfield
Rail position: +9m entire circuit
Race 7: Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) | Time: 1:09.90
- Horse to follow: Vagrant (8th)
Mitchell Freedman entered Vagrant in the Regal Roller Stakes first-up off a six-month spell, where she finished eighth, beaten 3.4 lengths by Arkansaw Kid. The daughter of Pariah settled at the rear of the field, well off the speed, and as she swung the home turn, she was more than eight lengths off the leaders. However, with a blistering turn of foot in the final 400m, Vagrant picked her way through the field and recorded the fastest last 400m (22.05s) and 200m (11.12s) sections of the entire meeting.
When to bet: As a Group 3 winner and placegetter against her own sex, Vagrant will more than likely enter a race against fillies and mares next start over 1400m. The Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington on September 14 stands out as an option for her.
Race 6: Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) | Time: 1:03.33
- Horse to follow: Kirribilli (3rd)
In just her second career start, Kirribilli from the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman stable recorded a valuable Group 3 placing in the Quezette Stakes. Luke Nolen let the daughter of Snitzel find her feet at the back of the field early in the race before getting onto the back of the runner-up, Geegees Mistruth, at the halfway mark. Although she was still last at the 200m pole, Kirribilli produced a burst of acceleration in the final 100m to run through the line strongly and nab third place.
When to bet: Following her strong finish over 1100m, it is expected that Moody & Coleman will enter Kirribilli in a 1200m contest next. The Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 7 could be the ideal race for her.
Rosehill
Rail position: True entire circuit
Race 7: Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m) | Time: 1:11.44
- Horse to follow: Kazou (1st)
One of the best wins of the day came at Rosehill, when James McDonald piloted Kazou to an unlikely victory in the first leg of the quaddie. The Chris Waller-trained mare flopped out of the barriers and had to settle last over the sprint trip; however, with Australia’s leading jockey in the saddle, she still had a chance. McDonald let her balance up after the home turn and pushed her through gaps in the field before bursting through the pack late to record a breathtaking victory.
When to bet: Considering Kazou normally races at the front of the field, her latest win showed that she has the ability to win from anywhere. Keep an eye out for where Waller enters her next, as she looks to be a horse to follow early in the spring.
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