Last years Crown Oaks winner Kirramosa will run in Saturday’s Tramway Stakes instead of the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick says trainer John Sargent.
Source:
Trainer @jsargentracing has decided Kirramosa will contest Tramway Stakes instead of Chelmsford on Sat at Randwick. Solid L600 gallop 2day.
— Andrew Bensley (@AndrewBensley) September 2, 2014
Past Kirramosa news:
New Zealand trainer John Sargent has sealed his move across the Tasman with a thrilling victory by Kirramosa in a three-way finish to the VRC Oaks at Flemington.
Driven to the line by Nash Rawiller, Kirramosa prevailed by a long head over another Sydney-trained filly, Zanbagh, with the pair coming together in the straight.
Celebrations were put on hold while Blake Shinn, the rider of the Guy Walter-trained runner-up, studied the head-on footage before deciding against a protest with the margin between the pair a long head.
“There’s no doubt Zanbagh was disadvantaged but she had the chance to run the other filly down,” Walter said.
“We are very proud of the job she’s done.”
Sargent, who has retained a small stable in New Zealand, moved his better horses to Randwick at the beginning of the season.
He admitted he had some doubts about backing Kirramosa up after her win in Saturday’s Wakeful Stakes but punters had no fears, sending her out the $2.70 favourite over Zanbagh ($7).
“She has a great constitution but she’s not a very big filly and my concern was whether she would back up,” Sargent said.
Solicit set out in front and stuck on well to finish a short head behind Zanbagh.
The three placegetters had the final 200 metres to themselves.
Rawiller, who was sacked as Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente’s rider last month, was enthusiastic about the win, saying the filly’s staying ability was evident and praising Sargent for the feat.
The 2500 metres found a few of the fillies out but third-placed Solicit ($11) was one who showed she could cope.
“She was too aggressive in the blinkers and it probably cost her the race,” her trainer Mathew Ellerton said.
Kirramosa is from the first crop of foals by 2008 Toorak Handicap winner Alamosa who stands at stud in New Zealand.
Zanbagh is by Bernadini out of 2004 Australian Oaks winner Wild Iris while Solicit’s pedigree is also stout with the filly by Street Cry out of Danehill mare Princesa.