Last Spring’s three year old sensation Petits Filous is still a month away from racing and will miss the Group 1 $750,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington on February 20.
Petits Filous will miss the Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.
Trainer Ciaron Maher had intended to kick off Petits Filous’ Autumn Carnival in the weight for age sprint down the Flemington straight, but he said the filly is still not ready to return to the race track.
The emerging Victorian trainer will have Petits Filous ready to trial within the next two weeks and then could set her for her Autumn Carnival debut in the Group 1 $700,000 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on March 19.
“I just thought she needed a bit of extra time,” Maher told racing.com.
“She’s in great order and should be ready to trial in the next 10 days or so.
“The Black Caviar Lightning and the Oakleigh Plate are probably a bit soon for her so maybe races like the Galaxy or the Sangster could be nice options.”
While Petits Filous will miss the Black Caviar Lightning and the Group 1 $500,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 27, Maher still has Group 1 options and as well as The Galaxy could head to Adelaide and race against the fillies and mares in the Group 1 $400,000 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 7.
Maher has already tested the Street Boss filly at weight for age against the older horses in Group 1 $450,000 City Jeep Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley during the 2015 Melbourne Spring Carnival when she was sent out as the short priced favourite but was beaten just under four lengths when tenth to Buffering.
But that occasion might have been a bit quick for the early three year old who was only having her first race campaign and her fifth race start.
“That night at the Valley that track was rated a good two and she pulled up quiet jarry after that,” Maher said.
“She had quite a few runs in her first prep and I think that the combination of the two was the undoing of her.
“She is in that select few that can do it at both ends and I am quite excited to get her back in.”
Petits Filous started off her racing career in sensational fashion with wins at her first four starts and recorded a six lengths win in a 1000m two year old Handicap at Moonee Valley in July on debut.
Then as a three year old she went on to win a 1000m BenchMark 78 Handicap at Moonee Valley again followed by a win in the Group 3 $150,000 Lister Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
Petits Filous then continued her winning run with a victory down the Flemington straight in the Listed $120,000 Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m) on September 12 before heading back to Moonee Valley for the Moir Stakes.
