Australasian Oaks presents opportunity for Just Kick's maiden win
David and Emma-Lee Browne indicate that success for Just Kick in Adelaide would align perfectly with an upcoming significant thoroughbred sale.
Just Kick looks to notch her debut victory heading into the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
The filly remains without a win from eight attempts but has earned four placings, including a Stakes placing—rather fittingly on Anzac Day the previous year in her second race, taking third in a Listed event at 1400m on Flemington's track.
According to Emma-Lee Browne, it's disappointing Just Kick hasn't secured her first win yet, but the group is keen to test her in Group 1 company.
During this campaign, she was fourth to Getta Good Feeling in the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m) held at Caulfield on March 21, followed by a third placing behind Savitri at 1700m on the same course on April 4.
"She's been a very unlucky maiden," Browne said.
"I thought her run last time was super, but she just doesn't corner that well at Caulfield.
"She's always lost a couple of lengths on that turn, but we thought she hit the line really well and that gives us the confidence to go up in distance."
The Brownes pondered the VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington in spring but chose to skip it, feeling the filly lacked the maturity for such a test.
"We ran out of time to get her to the Oaks in the spring, and she probably just wasn't strong enough at that point," Browne said.
"She had done everything quite nicely and was hitting the line quite well, but we just thought an autumn Oaks would be a better aim for her."
In the longer view, the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm come June is a potential target.
Nevertheless, Just Kick has an entry in the Inglis Chairman's Sale scheduled for May 7.
"We could come back for the filly's race here over 2500 metres or we could freshen for the Queensland Oaks and head north, but she's also entered in the Chairman's Sale as she's quite lovely bred," Browne said.
"She's got some Black Type, and it would be lovely if she could get a big one on her record and if she could win on Saturday, I think that could make the trip to the Chairman's Sale quite worth it."
Saturday marks the first time Harry Coffey will ride Just Kick.
Visit the online bookmakers to find the best betting markets for the Australasian Oaks.
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