Petits Filous unlikely runner in Furious Stakes

Unbeaten Melbourne filly Petits Filous was one of fifteen fillies listed in the nominations for the Group 2 $175,000 Furious Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday but she is unlikely to make the trip north.

Undefeated filly Petits Filous is among the nominations for the Furious Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

Undefeated filly Petits Filous is among the nominations for the Furious Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

Caulfield trainer Ciaron Maher also entered Petits Filous for the Listed $120,000 Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday but said he would probably hold her back for the Listed $120,000 Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday week.

“She’ll most likely run next week,” Maher told racing.com.

“I’m just a bit reluctant to take her to 1200m just yet, I’d rather give her another one at 1100m.”

Petits Filous has been nothing but impressive at her three undefeated starts which kicked off with a six lengths win over 1000m at Moonee Valley on July 15 at the end of her two year old season.

Then at her first run a s three year old scored a two lengths win over Stream Ahead in a $80,000 BenchMark 80 over 1000m at Moonee Valley on August 1 before leading all of the way to win the Group 3 $150,000 Lister Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 15.

Maher has reported that the Street Boss filly has pulled up in fine order and is back at his Caulfield stables after spending a week at Avon Park at Winslow.

“She’s in great order,” Maher said.

Even though Petits Filous is among the nominations for the Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10, Maher is keen to keep her to the sprinting distance over the Melbourne Spring Carnival with the Group 1 $500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 31 a likely target.

“Maybe a race like the Coolmore after a little let-up might be an option for her. It will be best this preparation to keep her to shorter distances,” Maher said.

Maher has also nominated his smart filly Jameka for both the Furious Stakes at Randwick and the Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Moonee Valley.

Jameka showed great improvement during the Melbourne Autumn Carnival as a two year old and at her fourth race start went on to win the Group 2 $200,000 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March 14.

Jameka is also entered for the Thousand Guineas and is marked at $21 with Ladbrokes.com.au with Petits Filous listed at $17.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.