Following Sass Appeal’s three successive victories at Flemington, trainer Danny O’Brien will forego Sydney options.
Sass Appeal notched the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1600m) on Saturday via Jordan Childs’ expert handling.
Childs guided the filly from a wide draw to settle behind Pillow Fight, striking decisively at the 300m mark.
With 200m to go, Sass Appeal, sent out at $2.35, drew clear by 2-¾ lengths from $14 shot Pillow Fight, as Salty Pearl ($2.60) trailed by another 1-¾ lengths for third.
Defending Kewney winner Treasurethe Moment headed north to Sydney, prevailing in the Vinery Stud Stakes and Australian Oaks, before a spring return victory in Caulfield’s Memsie Stakes.
The filly has triumphed in all four of her debut-season starts, leading O’Brien to favour a rest before spring engagements.
“Often with the three-year-old fillies you want to make hay while the sun shines against their own age, and sex, and make the best of what you’ve got before they turn four,” O’Brien said.
“But I think this horse will measure up to the older horses. With that in mind, she’s had a five start prep and I’m keen to give her a break and see her back here in the spring.”
O’Brien highlighted the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington amid Melbourne Cup week as attractive.
“The handicap races like the Sir Rupert Clarke and the Toorak Handicap are good options for her on the way through as well,” he said.
Sass Appeal’s racing profile frustrates competitors, O’Brien explained, given her record when crossing the lead.
“She makes it look easy when she’s got that tactical speed early and you get that good position in running,” O’Brien said.
“It’s a lot easier to watch than horses back in the field.
“Once they took positions today and I looked wherever everything else was, there hasn’t been a horse come from behind her and finish in front of her.
“The only horse she ultimately had to get past was the leader, and she did that and put a space on them.”
For the best racing betting markets, check sites offering odds on Sass Appeal’s spring targets like the Empire Rose Stakes.