Petits Filous sets the tone for good Spring Carnival

Unbeaten filly Petits Filous will be given her chance against tougher company after another effortless win at Moonee Valley last Saturday.

Jockey Damien Oliver, above, was very impressed with the win of Petits Filous at Moonee Valley. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

Jockey Damien Oliver, above, was very impressed with the win of Petits Filous at Moonee Valley. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

Petits Filous scored a scintillating six lengths win on debut in a 1000m two year old Handicap at Moonee Valley on July 15 then returned to the same venue for a dominant two lengths win in the $80,000 United Refrigeration BenchMark 78 Handicap (1000m) for the three year olds.

Trainer Ciaron Maher is now ready to step the Street Boss filly up to Stakes company and is looking at the Group 3 $150,000 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 15 for her next race start.

“She took the sit today and she was able to get it done pretty impressively, we’re just rapt,” Maher said.

“It’s her first prep and she’s going well, but it’s a balancing act.”

“She’s showing good ability now but you want to keep developing them so that they show their best.”

Winning rider Damien Oliver was quick talk up the chances of Petits Filous after partnering her to her two wins to date and the premiership winning jockey thinks there are more wins install.

“She’s got a big future ahead of her I think,” Oliver said.

“She’s definitely up to stakes class.

“She’s got a lot of potential … she’s in for a good prep.”

Petits Filous wasn’t the quickest out of the barriers and Oliver settled the filly in fourth spot behind the leader The Big Dance in the early stages of the 1000m dash.

Approaching the home turn Oliver eased Petits Filous out across the heels of the leading group and once heads were turned for home the filly skipped clear to keep her unbeaten record intact.

In an incident packed aftermath to the United Refrigeration Handicap, the Danny Curran trained fourth placegetter The Big Dance crashed through the running rail when jockey Dean Yendall was easing her down after the winning post.

Neither jockey or horse were seriously injured but Curran will put an end to The Big Dance’s Spring Carnival campaign to let her fully recover from the trauma while Yendall had to forego his remaining rides on the Moonee Valley program.

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.