Kavanagh Confident Interspersed Can Stay Australian Oaks Trip

Trainer Sam Kavanagh believes that Interspersed will have no trouble running a strong 2400 metres in the 2014 Australian Oaks at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Kerrin McEvoy will partner Interspersed in the 2014 Australian Oaks at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Kerrin McEvoy will partner Interspersed in the 2014 Australian Oaks at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Interspersed has stepped-up in trip throughout his autumn preparation, after scoring a three lengths win first-up over 1300 metres in Newcastle, and will be making his debut over 2400 metres after running home strongly in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on April 5.

The breeding of Interspersed does not necessarily indicate that she will run out a strong 2400 metres, but Kavanagh is taking confidence out of the strong recent record that the progeny of Sebring has recently had over staying trips – highlighted by the tough performance of Criterion in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Royal Randwick last weekend.

“It gives us a bit of confidence having Criterion win the Derby on Saturday,” Kavanagh told Racing Ahead this morning.

“He is out of a sprinting mare, but the Sebring’s seem to be getting out over a trip and there was another one win in Melbourne on the weekend.

“I don’t think that there is too much doubt; she relaxes well enough and does well enough.

“She will have the blinkers off, she will relax and I think that she will get the trip.”

Interspersed was well-backed in the lead-up to her Group 1 debut in the Vinery Stud Stakes, but she had no luck in running before working home strongly in the final stages of the race to finish eighth behind Lucia Valentina.

Kavanagh said that he was happy with the performance of the Sebring filly and believes that she has taken some improvement out of the run heading into the Australian Oaks this weekend.

“She didn’t have a lot of luck, but that is racing,” Kavanagh said.

“You get into these Group 1 races and they are very competitive and they are not easy to win.

“She ran well, she just didn’t get any room, but she finished off strongly.

“She is really bright and well and her work has been terrific.

“She seems to be right on target and we are looking forward to Saturday.

Kerrin (McEvoy) came back in the other day and said that he had no luck, but that he knows how to ride her now.

“He has been in and has a feel of her and he is really confident that she will run well.”

Interspersed is currently available at 2014 Australian Oaks odds of $15; with Vinery Stud Stakes winner Lucia Valentina ($2.60) a clear favourite from Zanbagh ($5.50) and Rising Romance ($6.50).

About The Author

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.