3 minute read

Top South Australian sprinter Kemalpasa returns to a happy hunting ground at Flemington on Saturday.

The Richard and Chantelle Jolly-trained gelding has never missed a place in five 1200m runs down the Flemington straight and will tackle a third Group 2 Gilgai Stakes in as many years.

Kemalpasa finished third behind Zoutori in 2020 before repeating the feat with a minor placing behind Kementari last year and the stable are confident the horse is in a better place this year.

"He's a seven-year-old now but I think he's going as good as he's ever gone,'' Richard Jolly said.

"He had a good long spell and that is a crucial part to how he's come back,'' he said.

Kemalpasa resumed with a super effort running second behind Shamino in the W H Wylie Stakes when he had to carry 62kg, surprising the stable.

"He had a fair bit of weight, I probably wasn't expecting as good of a run as he gave from a wide draw,'' Jolly said.

"He's come through the run well and he's ready to go.

"I think he's got a really good chance, I really think he's going better than he was last year and I think he's comes in a kilogram lighter and an outside draw,'' he said.

Despite his solid return and impressive record at Flemington Kemalpasa is marked a $10 chance with Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Swats That a $5.50 favourite with tab.com.au.