Trainer Ciaron Maher revealed that the 2015 Coolmore Stud Stakes could be an option for Petits Filous after she recorded a tough victory in the 2015 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield this afternoon.
Petits Filous made it three wins from as many starts with another impressive performance in the Quezette Stakes. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell
Petits Filous started the race as a clear favourite and she was taken straight to the lead by jockey Damien Oliver in the early stages of the race, but she appeared to race fairly keen.
The Street Boss filly was challenged by Miss Gunpowder in the straight, but Petits Filous was able to hold off her rival in the final stages of the race, while Jalan Jalan flashed home from the pack to finish an eye-catching third.
Maher admitted that he was slightly worried when Petits Filous overraced in the early stages of the Quezette Stakes, but he was pleased with the way she fought off Miss Gunpowder and was clearly delighted that she had maintained her unbeaten record.
“She went forward and she lit up a little bit early and wanted to travel quite keenly,” Maher said.
“She looked in control and quickened up quite nicely.
“They came at her, but she was brave enough to fight them off.
“I was a little bit concerned when she travelled quite keen early, but they didn’t look like they were flying and around the turn she had a couple off the bit, which gave me a lot of confidence.”
Petits Filous was included in the nominations for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) and Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m), but Maher ruled out a tilt at either race and he confirmed that he will keep the three-year-old to sprinting trips, with the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day an option for the undefeated filly.
“Today was a real test for her and we will see how she pulls up from today and maybe make a plan on the back of that,” Maher said.
“Maybe a race like the Coolmore after a little let-up might be an option for her and I will be quite interested to see what Damien says.
“After looking at her today, each start she is learning a little bit and she is a keen little racehorse.
“She was quite aggressive and we will just keep her to the sprint trips.”
Oliver has steered Petits Filous to victory in all three race starts of her career to date and he was thrilled with the way that she finished off the Quezette Stakes.
Oliver agreed with Maher’s assessment that Petits Filous should be kept to sprinting trips during her 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign.
“We weren’t sure where she was going to go distance wise before today, but I think todays confirms that it will be best this preparation to keep her to shorter distances.
“You just wonder how far she can go, but she has such a lovely temperament and Ciaron is doing a great job with her, so I am sure he will do the right thing with her.”
Colin Little was planning on sending Jalan Jalan to the spelling paddock following the Quezette Stakes, but he revealed after the race that she will race on this preparation and could head to a race like the Thousand Guineas.
