Co-trainer Natalie Young has revealed that exciting two-year-old Salsamor will be targeted at the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm Racecourse on June 10th.
Salsamor (left) is likely to contest the Group 1 JJ Atkins in Brisbane. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Salsamor has only made two competitive appearances at the races so far, but he has shown plenty of class and ability and beat a number of notable juveniles to the line when second in the Saintly Hall Of Fame Trophy (1400m) at Flemington last weekend.
Jumping from the gates well, Salsamor was settled behind the early pace by jockey Ben Thompson and settled into a good rhythm across the back straight and approaching the bend.
Pulled off the fence upon arriving at the final straight, Thompson allowed Salsamor plenty of time to balance before he asked for an extra effort, but was greeted with a big turn of foot with 200m to run and flew home on the outside of the lead-pack to finish only a neck behind Aloisia.
By prominent Kiwi sire Tavistock, Young is confident that the colt has plenty of upside and will only improve as he continues to step up in distance and confirmed that the 2017 JJ Atkins is likely to figure as his final two-year-old target in just over a fortnight.
“It was his first time on top of the ground at Flemington on Saturday and I thought he hit the line brilliantly,” Young told Racing Victoria.
“He still had a little bit of a look around, (he was) a bit green when he got to the front, so there’s a little bit of improvement in him.
“He’s pulled up brilliantly. His shins are all good and he’s jumping around this morning so we just might put that nom (nomination) in for the Atkins.
“Just in his general trackwork actually he’s started to grow up a little bit.
“Usually those young colts, you give them a run and it turns them into a man and they start realising they are a racehorse so I think he’s got a bright future.”
Salsamor showed plenty of ability prior to making his competitive debut and immediately stamped himself as one to watch when he posted comfortable win in the Racing.com Maiden Plate (1400m) at Pakenham first-up on May 7th.
Melody Belle remains an outright $6 favourite in early 2017 JJ Atkins betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au
