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Fillies shine at Te Aroha; Surprise Baby eyes racetrack return
Fillies shine at Te Aroha
Three-year-old fillies were to the fore at the Te Aroha racemeeting on Tuesday, with first starters Karman Line and Avalene making winning first impressions, while Marcella was successful over 1200m at second time of asking.
None were more impressive than the Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Karman Line, with the daughter of Myboycharlie closing from an impossible position mid-straight to post an ultra-impressive win, despite being unwanted in the betting as a $25 chance.
"Her trials had been good but we hadn't put any pressure on her," Scott said.
"She had quickened on in her work over the past couple of weeks and shown that she had good ability.
"We actually didn't know what was there until she let down today. While it came as a bit of a surprise, it was a nice surprise.
"Craig (Grylls, jockey) was quite taken with the performance and the way she quickened so generously and believes she will get out a bit further than today's distance."
Raced by a syndicate, the O'Sullivan-Scott stable outlaid $67,500 for the filly at the 2020 Book 2 Yearling Sale at Karaka from the Cambria Park draft.
"She was bought as a staying filly and is out of a Pierro mare that is a daughter of a Grade One winner in America on the turf over 1800m," Scott said.
"The pedigree points towards distance and that is the way we would be looking to head with her over the summer months."
There were some impressive performance on the day from the fairer sex, with Vadamos filly Avalene strong through the line over 1400m for the Roger James and Robert Wellwood stable, while Sweynesse filly Marcella charged home to score over 1200m for the in-form David Greene stable.
Surprise Baby eyes racetrack return
Surprise Baby is on track to return in the Gr.3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on November 27 for new trainer Gavin Bedggood after a gallop in front of Racing Victoria stewards on Monday.
An embargo meant Bedggood had to gallop the seven-year-old son of Shocking in front of stewards and get a veterinary clearance for the horse to race, with the final step a jumpout at Cranbourne next week.
Surprise Baby hasn't raced since jumping favourite in the 2020 Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), where he finished 13th and then suffered a hairline fracture when preparing for the Gr.2 Zipping Classic (2400m).
Not only did Monday's gallop get the approval from stewards, but it also left his trainer and jockey Jordan Childs smiling, with the latter to reunite with the Group Two winner for the first time since the 2019 Melbourne Cup in his racetrack return.
"Jordy Childs come down and rode him and he worked with No Effort yesterday and they just went 1000 evens and improved from the 600 and worked up their last 400 in 23.5 (seconds)," Bedggood told Racing.com.
"He had the other horse well and truly covered. It was pretty solid work and Jordy come in and gave a glowing report."
Despite the Kevin Heffernan Stakes being over 1400m, Bedggood said Surprise Baby won't be there to make up the numbers in his first racetrack appearance in more than 12 months.
"From what he's shown me he's got a really good turn of foot," Bedggood said.
"He's not your typical stayer, he was nearly able to win the Feehan (Gr.2, 1600m), which isn't common for a Melbourne Cup horse.
"It wouldn't surprise me to see him go to the races and run out of his skin fresh.
"I'd love to see him win or run top three first-up and relieve some of the pressure and try get him ready for an autumn campaign.
"And the way we are training we aren't training him to run two miles or 10 furlongs this prep.
"I don't think he's done any work beyond 1000m and we've tried to keep his work short and sharp and keep some speed in his legs."
Bedggood said the Kevin Heffernan Stakes was likely to be Surprise Baby's cameo appearance this preparation, with eyes then set on an autumn campaign.
