A Metropolitan Handicap start is still up in the air even though Kelinni was able to score an outstanding win in the Group 3 $125,000 Alea Actuarial Consulting Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) at Rosehill today.

Kelinni

Kelinni scores an impressive win in the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality at Rosehill. Photo by: Steve Hart

Leading trainer Chris Waller will make a decision next week if Kelinni will back up in the Group 1 $400,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick next Saturday.

Winning jockey Glyn Schofield was unable to find cover and after being three wide on the turn out of the straight was stuck out in limbo for the remainder of the race but proved too strong for the Gai Waterhouse trained Julienas who was also digging deep at the finish.

“The whole way around he just travelled so sweetly for me. He’s not the type of horse who wants to be bottled up and fighting for a run, but I didn’t want to be where I was,” Schofield said.

“Once I was there, three quarters of the race you got a lot of shield from the wind. It’s only when you sought of coming down through the 600m you are copping it head on and that’s when you want to get going anyway.”

“He was so relaxed in the run today, Chris has done a fantastic job with this horse to get him to where he is. I think he has to find a couple of lengths to feature in the Metrop.”

Kelinni was able to turn the tables on Julienas after finishing fourth to the Waterhouse trained import in the Listed $150,000 Carlton Mid Wyong Cup (2100m) at Wyong on September 7.

Waller will wait and see how Kelinni pulls up before committing to a Metropolitan Handicap start and if he misses next week Waller could send the five year old to Melbourne for the rest of the Spring.

“He beat them fair and square. We won’t really know that until Saturday afternoon, but he would have to please me in every facet to get to the Metro,” Waller said.

“I think he’s still a progressive horse and to tackle a race like that next week will be hard. Maybe we can go to Melbourne and find a lead up for one of the Cup races, but something we can look at next week.”

The Waterhouse trained Strawberry Boy was the disappointment of the race and after having a good run throughout, the even money favourite struggled in the straight and failed to run out the 2400m, winding up in third spot.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.