Alabama Lass Returns a Winner at Taupo

Media Release - Wednesday August 21

Ken and Bev Kelso’s stable star Legarto may be on the quiet list at the moment after straining a muscle earlier this month, but the Matamata couple still have plenty to look forward to this spring with exciting filly Alabama Lass.

The three-year-old daughter of Alabama Express was an eye-catching winner on debut at her home track in February before finishing runner-up at the same track a fortnight later in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).

Alabama Lass on her way to a dominant win in the Taupo Pak ‘N Save 3YO Fillies (1100m) on Wednesday.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

She returned in impressive fashion when winning her 900m trial at Te Rapa earlier this month and continued that form into her opening race of the season at Taupo on Wednesday in the Taupo Pak ‘N Save 3YO Fillies (1100m).

Alabama Lass jumped well and was taken straight to the front of the small but select field by jockey Sam Spratt and she didn’t relinquish her advantage, running out a 3-1/2 length victor, albeit racing very greenly down the Taupo straight.

“She went up the straight like a drunken sailor,” Spratt quipped. “I think it was just because she was doing it so easy, she was doing it on her ear and got a bit lost. If she had a rail to follow it would have been much better because she has never done that before.

“She was brilliant and did it easy and it was a smart field, she has got huge improvement.”

Ken Kelso was just as pleased with the win and said she will take plenty of improvement from the run as they head towards her first major target of the spring, the Gr.3 HBPB Breeders’ ASSN Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings on September 7.

Advertisement

“You have got to be happy, she has won nicely,” he said. “She has run around a little bit but that is only her third start, so she is only going to keep improving.

“She will go from here to Hastings for the Gold Trail and then we will pick a plan from there. How far she will get you don’t know, you just take one step at a time.”

The Gr.1 Barneswood Farm 52nd New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in November, a race Kelso came close to winning with Group One winner Bounding in 2013, remains Alabama Lass’s ultimate spring aim. While the mile distance remains a query, Kelso thinks his filly is capable of seeing out the distance against her own age group.

“She will definitely be nominated for the 1000 Guineas but whether she can get that far time will tell,” he said.

“The way she relaxes in the running and on her pedigree too (I think she can see out the distance). She has got half brothers and sisters that have gone to a mile.

“Bounding ran second, and probably should have won the 1000 Guineas, and she was an out-and-out sprinter later on. They can get it against their own age group, but until you try you never know.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Taupo Pak'nSave 3yo 1100m

Taupo Track: Soft(7) Time: 1:07.33
1
Alabama Lass
- 3f Alabama Express (AUS) x Tabliope (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: K & B Kelso Rdr: S C Spratt 56.5
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale $120,000
Seller: Shadow Hill Thoroughbreds, Avenel
Buyer: Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock / K Kelso
2
3.5
Archaic Smile
- 3f Saxon Warrior (JPN) x On The Ball (NZ) (So You Think (NZ))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: R T Elliot 57.5
NZB Karaka Book 1 $55,000
Seller: Woburn Farm
Buyer: Mr M Otani
3
3.7
Sister Ping
- 3f Street Boss (USA) x Illadore (FR) (Lope De Vega (IRE))
Tnr: C K Ormsby Rdr: V A Colgan 56.5
NZB Karaka Book 1 $250,000
Seller: Cambridge Stud
Buyer: Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ)
4
7.5
Velocious
- 3f Written Tycoon (AUS) x Parmalove (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: C J Grylls 59.5
5
14.8
Little Stirrer
- 3f Written Tycoon (AUS) x Teaspoon (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: L R Noble Rdr: W B Kennedy 56.5
More Reading...
Kiwi Raider Alabama Lass Wins Listed World Pool Classic Sprint
Yulong based Alabama Express was expected to have G1 success on Saturday with his glamour filly Treasurethe Moment in the Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill, but with that meeting postponed due to the weather it was left to Alabama Lass to fly the flag.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday May 7
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Japanese Bred Filly Wins At Eagle Farm
Could trainer Kris Lees have the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) on his mind after his three-year-old, northern hemisphere bred filly Eclair Encore (Jpn) recorded a strong victory over 1800m at Eagle Farm.
Queensland Calling for Exciting Wootton Bassett Colt
Champion trainer Chris Waller is renowned for producing talented back season juveniles that blossom into stakes performers and we saw one at Warwick Farm on Wednesday when heavily backed Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Regulated Affair opened his account.
Alabama Lass Melbourne-bound After King’s G3 Plate Romp
Ken and Bev Kelso bought Alabama Lass in Melbourne as a yearling two years ago, and a stunning performance in Saturday’s Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie has them plotting a return.
So You Think Filly Shows Oaks Potential
The Bjorn Baker stable has been on fire this year and it’s full steam ahead to Queensland for talented So You Think filly Dame Commander, who beat older rivals at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Rising Stars - Metro 2YO Double for Wootton Bassett
Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) unleashed not one but two exciting juveniles at Warwick Farm on Wednesday with the opening race going to the colt Regulated Affair and shortly after it was the turn of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained filly Agarwood.
Alabama Express Filly Heads to G1 Sistema Railway
Alabama Lass will be out to replicate the feats of stable predecessor Bounding when she heads to Ellerslie next week to tackle the $700,000 Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m).
First Win for Sword of State Half-Sister
Well-related filly Paravane broke through for her maiden win in pleasing fashion at Ellerslie on Wednesday when taking out the Join TAB Racing Club 1200 in the hands of senior hoop Vinnie Colgan.
Inglis Chairman’s Sale-Toppers – Where Are They Now?
A star studded renewal of the Inglis Chairman’s Sale will light up Riverside Stables this evening from 5pm with glamour girls Bella Nipotina and Amelia’s Jewel vying for top honours, so we’re taking a quick look back to check in on some of the stars from the past.