A Spring Carnival campaign lays ahead for Victorian filly Kalabek who is one of the top fancies in the Listed $100,000 Gallopers Sports Club Lancaster Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Shinji, above, will be the hardest for Kalabek to beat in the Lancaster Stakes. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Kalabek scored an impressive win at her race debut as an odds on favourite and after missing the start was able to gather in the leaders to win $35,000 JRA Handicap (1000m) for two year olds at Caulfield on April 21.
Kyneton trainer Brent Stanley is confident that Kalabek will go on to better things but he would like to see her win again before mapping out any ambitious Spring plans.
“To miss the start and still win it was a great performance,” Stanley told the Sportsman.
“You never get carried away with one win. I haven’t tested her for anything but I have no doubt she will be a better three year old and we are hoping she will get to 1400m and 1600m.”
Stanley has already booked his other smart filly Veuvelicious for a start in the Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 11 and Kalabek could be there as well if she performs up to expectation during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.
Northern Meteor filly Veuvelicious has already created a huge impression with a three and a quarter lengths win in the Listed $150,000 Adina Apartment Hotels Fernhill Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on April 19 before finishing sixth to Go Indy Go in the Group 1 $400,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on April 26.
Stanley has been pleased with the way Kalabek has settled in in Brisbane and was more than happy with her work at Doomben on Tuesday morning when she matched strides with last start Silk Stocking winner Srikandi.
“Srikandi is a pretty good trackworker so that was encouraging,” Stanley said.
“She’s not a good trackworker so you don’t get a good guide, she works nicely but nothing flash.”
Kalabek has drawn barrier nine in the sixteen horse field and Nash Rawiller, who takes over from Damien Oliver, will want to make sure the Wanted filly gets a clean get away in the capacity field.
Ladbrokes.com.au have installed Kalabek the $3.40 favourite for the Lancaster Stakes just ahead of the undefeated Shinji at $3.80.
Shinji, from the Paddy Cunningham stable, is facing her biggest test to date after winning all three starts, a win over 1000m at Grafton on March 8 following by a double over 1000m at Eagle Farm on April 5 and April 19.
The only other filly under double figures is the Kelly Schweida trained Totally Sure marked at $7 for her first race start since finishing twelfth to Unencumbered in the $2m Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 11.
