Epsom Handicap Or Craven Plate For Kirramosa

Trainer John Sargent has confirmed that he is yet to decide whether Kirramosa has her next race start in the 2015 Epsom Handicap or the Craven Plate at Royal Randwick on October 3.

Kirramosa will contest either the Craven Plate or the Epsom Handicap at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Kirramosa will contest either the Craven Plate or the Epsom Handicap at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Kirramosa returned to the races after a length stint on the sidelines with a close fifth in the Fairfield RSL Club Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on August 15 and she hit the line strongly to finish fifth behind Hooked in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on September 5 before she was only beaten three lengths by Kermadec in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on September 19.

Sargent admits that the step-up to 2000 metres for the Craven Plate would likely be ideal for Kirramosa, but he also believes that the daughter of Alamosa gets into the Epsom Handicap field extremely well at the weights.

“She is probably looking for the 2000 metres now, but she is well in at the weights in the Epsom and it is a hard mile,” Sargent said at trackwork this morning.

“We will just work it out in the next week and see about which way that we go.

“They might be raising the weights in the Epsom with the top-weights coming out, but she is definitely hitting the line strongly.

“It is going to be a big question mark where she heads next.

“You are looking at Melbourne in the long run and that is what we have to keep in mind.”

Kirramosa will head to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) after she runs at Royal Randwick on October 3 and she is set to clash with stablemate Gust Of Wind.

Gust Of Wind produced impressive closing sectionals in both the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on August 22 and the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 12 and Sargent confirmed that the Darci Brahma filly will run in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) next Saturday before she contests both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.

“Gust Of Wind is galloping reverse this morning and we are looking at going to the Turnbull in two weeks’ time and she will stay down there after that in Melbourne,” Sargent said.

“I am very happy with her, she will step-up to 2000 in the Turnbull and all being well she will go to Caulfield and Melbourne.

“I have to ring Craig Williams’ manager today, he might be on her in the Turnbull, but nothing is confirmed for the Cups yet.”

Gust Of Wind is currently on the fourth line of the Caulfield Cup betting market with Ladbrokes at a quote of $15, while Kirramosa is priced at $41 to record her first race win since she took out the 2013 edition of the Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m).

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.