Trainer Ciaron Maher is confident that exciting two-year-old Aloisia will relish a step up in distance to 1600m for the first time, when she takes her place in Saturday’s Group 1 JJ Atkins field at Doomben Racecourse.
Aloisia will run at a mile for the first time in Saturday’s Group 1 JJ Atkins at Doomben. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
A smart performer through two starts in her native New Zealand before being purchased and transferred to the care of Maher, Aloisia has shown plenty of ability throughout her short racing career and will carry winning form into the JJ Atkins following her comfortable first-up triumph in the Saintly Hall Of Fame Trophy (1400m) at Flemington on May 20th.
Maher told Racing Victoria that the JJ Atkins has been on the radar of his team and connections since the horse was purchased and is confident that the filly is ready to acquit herself well in the Group 1 feature race.
“That race (Atkins) was in the back of our minds when we brought her over but just in the way she won at Flemington just gave us the confidence to go,” Maher said.
“She’s a clean-winded horse who’ll probably get over ground in time and if the track was to be a little bit testing, it would probably suit her.”
Trialling well in the lead-up to her competitive debut, Aloisia immediately stamped herself as one to watch when fifth amongst classy company in the Frasertown Tavern 2YO Plate (1200m) at Wairoa on February 26th.
Progressing to second in the Richardson Racing 2YO Plate (1200m) in her final start in New Zealand, the Azamour filly won a talent-rich Cranbourne trial on May 2nd and franked that form when she strode clear to beat Salsamor and Grunt with ease at Flemington three weeks ago.
The JJ Atkins field and barrier draw is due to be completed and released by midday, Wednesday (June 7th).
Ladbrokes.com.au currently rates Aloisia a $6 chance in early 2017 JJ Atkins betting markets.
