3 minute read

A brief look at some of the Stakes races from Family Day at Caulfield.

Snow Patrol lands first-up win 
 

Snow Patrol is on target for a tilt at the Australian Guineas after his first-up win in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m). 

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable has always held a good opinion of Snow Patrol and had their sights set on the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas last spring. 

After a debut maiden win at Sandown ahead of two luckless runs, Price and Kent Jnr elected to spell Snow Patrol for the autumn. 

Snow Patrol ($9) had to pull out plenty to wear down the $2 favourite Southport Tycoon in a two-horse war and win by a short-half-head. 

"The second horse really kicked back and made it tough for him and he just fought it out," Kent Jnr said. 

"He's got three weeks now to the Guineas, that's ideal." 
 

Yonce returns to winning form 

After winning her first six starts, Yonce has again found winning form, this time leading throughout in the Group 3 T S Carlyon Cup (1600m). 

The Ciaron Maher-trained mare was having her third start back after almost 20 months away from the racetrack and a possible future as a broodmare. 

Yonce raced her way through restricted grade before she was ultimately given the chance at Group 1 level, finishing fourth in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes in Sydney before her lay-off with a tendon injury. 

Maher said he would love to head back to Sydney with the mare and indicated the All-Star Mile could also a possibility if the mare could get a 'wildcard' for the race. 

"She promised so much," Maher said. 

"She went all the way through to being a Group One performer basically in one prep, so it's great to have her back. 

"I was a bit nervous when I did see him (Johnny) in front because she has been a bit aggressive this prep, but he took luck out of it and full credit to him." 
 

Kallos lands first-up Rubiton Stakes win 

Godolphin galloper Kallos could return to Caulfield for a Group 1 assignment in two weeks after his first-up win in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m). 

Kallos ($16) produced a barnstorming finish to overhaul the $1.80 favourite Asfoora, scoring by a length, and a potential rematch with that mare in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate over same course and distance on February 24. 

"The way he's done it today, it took him a while to get into gear, he was strong late, and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw him again in two weeks," Nacim Dilmi representing trainer James Cummings said. 

Kallos only had one start in the spring and Dilmi said the gelding had a few things go wrong last time in work but was in a better frame of mind mentally this time around. 

"He's had a nice training session at Osborne Park, he arrived here a few days ago and it was great to see him back in the winner's enclosure," Dilmi said. 
 

Time the friend of Estriella 

Estriella may be about to show the potential the Ciaron Maher stable expects of the filly after her first-up win in the Group 3 Peter Le Grand Stakes (1100m). 

The daughter of I Am Invincible has been an immature filly who has taken time to grow and develop mentally. 

So much so, Maher said the filly could not be trained at a track and spent a lot of time last preparation at Newcastle. 

"She showed really good ability last time round, but she was always a bit immature in her action," Maher said. 

"She spent a lot of her last prep up at the beach at Newcastle, she couldn't handle normal training on a track. 

"She showed glimpses of today's ability, she was always going to improve, and I think she'll continue to improve as she gets older. 

"That was pretty impressive." 
 

Hefel lands first win as a senior 

Jockey Carleen Hefel rode her first metropolitan winner as a senior jockey when Don't Doubt Dory took out the Premier Signs Handicap (2000m). 

Hefel outrode her city claim at Sandown last month but had experienced a lean trot since transferring into senior ranks. 

The win on Don't Doubt Dory was made extra special as it was for her former boss, Julien Welsh. 

After riding Divine Purpose into third place in the Herald Sun Handicap (2400m) and not having a mount in the upcoming Stakes races later in the program, Hefel jumped in the shower ahead on the hour's drive to Yarra Glen for three rides at the Yarra Valley provincial meeting. 

"That's the job of being a senior rider now, I guess," Hefel said. 

"I'll have a bit of a break next week and see if I can pick up a good ride or two in coming weeks." 

Hefel did not finished out of the placings in her three rides at Yarra Valley.