Inkaruna will look to capitalise on her recent consistency when she lines up at Caulfield this Saturday, with the Sam and Anthony Freedman stable confirming the filly will continue her spring campaign.
The daughter of I Am Invincible produced a strong performance when finishing second to her highly-rated stablemate Point Barrow in last Thursday’s Group 3 Red Roses Stakes at Flemington, and will now take her place in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes.
This year marks the first running of the 1200-metre Thoroughbred Club Stakes under its new $1 million purse as part of the revamped CF Orr Stakes Raceday. Sam Freedman said the race had always been under consideration provided the filly pulled up well.
“We kept it in the back of our mind for her and she’s pulled up well,” Freedman said.
“She’s had a pretty light preparation so far, so I think we’ll front up and see how she does.”
The Red Roses was Inkaruna’s third run of the preparation, following her seventh placing in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) and her earlier third placing in the Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m).
Winner of the Cap D’Antibes, My Gladiola, heads the 24 nominations for the Thoroughbred Club Stakes and is expected to be among the major players once again.
Point Barrow, who defeated Inkaruna last week, will not back up and has already been sent to the paddock to spell.
Inkaruna’s stablemate Caffettiera is also entered for Saturday but is unlikely to gain a start due to his ballot position.
Freedman acknowledged that My Gladiola brings serious form to the race, but said Inkaruna’s profile suggests she will be far from outclassed.
“You can draw a line in the form with some of those nicer fillies that fronted up on Thursday,” Freedman said.
“She began a bit better with the blinkers on on Oaks Day, so if she’s able to settle a bit closer that’s going to hold her in good stead as well.”
While the Freedman team will not have a runner in the Group 1 $1 million Orr Stakes, they may saddle Katsumi Orochi in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m).
The Maurice colt finished 11th in the Listed Springtime Stakes (1400m) on Melbourne Cup Day, and Freedman believes the rise in distance will be beneficial.
“He’s probably just looking for a bit further, so he’ll probably run, but he’s got to step up, obviously,” Freedman said.
Katsumi Orochi is one of 17 entries for the Sandown Guineas, while the Orr Stakes features 11 nominations, including leading chances Jimmysstar and Angel Capital.
If you’re having a bet on the Thoroughbred Club Stakes, compare odds and promos via the Australian betting sites list.
