Unbeaten filly Elite Elle can book a spot in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas in the Spring if she lives up to trainer Tony Vasil’s expectations at Caulfield tomorrow.
Elite Elle has been posted the $2.20 favourite for the 1200m Tattsbet.com two year old Handicap after winning on debut at Bendigo then scoring a comfortable win at the Metropolitan meeting at Mornington on June 11.
“I hope she is a good as I think she is,” Vasil said.
“I truly think she is capable of being a stakes filly and if that is correct then she needs to stand up and prove that thought process on Saturday.”
“Rather than put all the eggs in one basket and direct her to one particular race you can’t ignore the fact that she can get black type maybe earlier than later.
Vasil was reluctant to send the Shamardal filly to the paddock in the middle of winter if it wasn’t necessary and was very happy to see her racing manners improve at Mornington after missing the start at Bendigo and having to circle the field.
“She’s got plenty of upside, there was no surprise that she won at Bendigo though as the race panned out after a softish start and getting caught wide she did a herculean job to win,” Vasil said.
“She jumped and did everything right at Mornington which is what she normally does in her jump outs, and she revelled in the very heavy track.”
“She is a good wet tracker. I suppose this is a tougher assignment again and I was in two minds whether to tip her out and bring her back for the Spring.”
The Caulfield trainer decided to push on for the time being but said the filly will certainly have a break after Saturday.
As opposed to sending Elite Elle to the elements of Winter for a break, Vasil will keep her in semi work somewhere where she can be stabled at night.
“Past Saturday she will have a breather and I might just send her somewhere she can keep ticking over and get boxed at night.”
“She is worthy of trying to guide towards certainly some of the early Spring races for the fillies.”
Vasil has suggested the Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) to be run at Caulfield on October 17 the likely target for Elite Elle if she can convince him a Spring campaign is warranted.
Danny Nikolic takes over from the suspended Damien Oliver who has ridden the filly at her two race wins and won’t get it all his own way.
The powerful Peter Moody stable will saddle up stable mates King Krovanh for Luke Nolen and Flamberge who is also unbeaten from two starts including a last start Flemington win with the inform apprentice Jake Duffy to ride.
