A pleasing gallop at Moonee Valley from Kencella has the talented sprinter on target for his first-up assignment in the Carlyon Stakes.
The former John O’Shea-trained speedster makes his debut for the Chris Waller stable in Saturday’s 1000-metre Listed race where his opposition is set to include classy sprinter Villa Verde who also turned in a sharp gallop at the track on Tuesday.
Waller’s Melbourne representative Justine Hales rode Maurice McCarten Stakes winner Kencella in Tuesday’s hit-out over 800m and was delighted with the work, clocking 55.24sec with a final 400m in 24.56sec.
“It was a nice chance to take him around there and he handled the track really well,” Hales said.
“He worked really well.
“He should get around Moonee Valley easily, especially over 1000 metres and kick off the bend.”
Kencella will be ridden by Damien Oliver on Saturday.
Hales said there was no need for Kencella to do too much in Tuesday’s gallop because the five-year-old was forward enough to make his presence felt having had two Sydney trials and a jump-out at Flemington.
Villa Verde worked in company and clocked the fastest last 400m of the horses who galloped at Moonee Valley on Tuesday in 24.38sec.
Another Carlyon Stakes-bound sprinter, Shamal Wind had a solo gallop with new race jockey Craig Williams aboard.
“She was very lost on her own but she dashed up the last furlong,” Williams said.
Smerdon said the mare was casual in the gallop but is not concerned.
Shamal Wind is unbeaten in four first-up attempts and unbeaten at 1000m.
“She’s in good shape. She has been going well,” Smerdon said.
Trainer Patrick Payne, meanwhile, took dual Oaks placegetter Zanbagh to Moonee Valley to work in company ahead of her return over 1500m on Saturday.
Formerly trained by the late Guy Walter, Zanbagh has the Caulfield Cup as a target with the Naturalism Stakes third-up a key race.
“She wasn’t there to break any time but it was just a matter of getting her out of the stable for the day,” Payne said.
“To the eye she looked like she worked pretty well.”
