O'Brien eyes spring riches for Kewney Stakes winner Sass Appeal
Danny O'Brien has decided against sending Sass Appeal to Sydney post her hat-trick of wins at Flemington.
On Saturday, Sass Appeal captured the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1600m) with a flawless performance from jockey Jordan Childs.
From the widest gate, Childs let Sass Appeal stride forward to stalk leader Pillow Fight, then unleashed her with 300m left to travel.
The $2.35 favourite assumed command 200m from home, scoring by 2-¾ lengths from $14 chance Pillow Fight, with Salty Pearl ($2.60) 1-¾ lengths adrift in third.
Treasurethe Moment, last season's Kewney champion, ventured to Sydney to win the Vinery Stud Stakes and Australian Oaks, returning in spring for the Memsie Stakes success at Caulfield.
Sass Appeal boasts four straight victories in her debut preparation, prompting O'Brien to plan a spell targeting spring.
"Often with the three-year-old fillies you want to make hay while the sun shines against their own age, and sex, and make the best of what you've got before they turn four," O'Brien said.
"But I think this horse will measure up to the older horses. With that in mind, she's had a five start prep and I'm keen to give her a break and see her back here in the spring."
The Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) during Flemington's Melbourne Cup carnival catches O'Brien's interest.
"The handicap races like the Sir Rupert Clarke and the Toorak Handicap are good options for her on the way through as well," he said.
According to O'Brien, Sass Appeal's front-running ability makes her tough to catch once she leads.
"She makes it look easy when she's got that tactical speed early and you get that good position in running," O'Brien said.
"It's a lot easier to watch than horses back in the field.
"Once they took positions today and I looked wherever everything else was, there hasn't been a horse come from behind her and finish in front of her.
"The only horse she ultimately had to get past was the leader, and she did that and put a space on them."
Visit online bookmakers to find the keenest markets for Sass Appeal's upcoming Empire Rose Stakes bid.
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