We have devoted more column inches, with the possible exception of the stewards, to the hugely talented 3yo Bel Esprit filly Kisukano who, despite a course record-breaking win over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm on Saturday, will likely have her stakes ambitions put on hold for the time being.
Due to her antics at the barriers, Kisukano needed to trial to the satisfaction of stewards before she allowed to take part in Saturday’s race. That she did with the benefit of a stallion chain and blindfold and her all-the-win by one and a quarter lengths over the promising Snitzel gelding Acrobatic to advance her record to six wins from eight starts with earnings of $665,600.
With Mark Du Plessis in the saddle, Kisukano stopped the clock at 01:08.69 breaking the mark of 1:08.76s set by the 5yo gelding Isaurian in December last year.
The Michael Nolan-trained filly remains the only horse to date to defeat the Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes hero Rothfire, which she did by two lengths in the $500,000 Aquis QTIS Jewel at the Gold Coast on March 14.
The original intention was for Kisukano to head south to Sydney for the spring carnival however Nolan was sounding more inclined to give the daughter of Bel Esprit a break following her fourth start this preparation
A homebred for the Reeves family, Kisukano is the first foal of the Show a Heart mare Kiss For Gran who is a sister to the dam of the Listed SAJC CS Hayes Memorial Cup winner Over Exposure and a three-quarter sister to the stakes-placed Show A Prince and a half-sister to Listed GCTC Silk Stocking Hcp winner Princess Margaret.
Nolan went back to this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale to purchase Kisukano’s half-sister by Better Than Ready for $115,000.
Kiss For Gran had a rest in 2019 after foaling a colt by Rothesay.
Sun Stud stalwart Bel Esprit featured in another capacity on Saturday as the sire of the dam of the unbeaten Snitzel gelding Immortal Love who defeated a star-studded field in the Group III H.D.F. McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield to keep his record at a perfect three for three.
Bel Esprit will stand at the value fee of $7,700 in 2020.
