Given Esha was sent out a $6.50 chance in a weight-for-age Group 1 at just her third career appearance four months ago, Saturday’s summer sprint might look well within reach.
Trainer Shane Nichols, however, is approaching the return of his Extreme Choice filly with caution.
Esha lines up in Saturday’s $150,000 Jockey Celebration Sprint at Flemington and while Nichols is happy with her lead-up, highlighted by a slick 1000-metre Balnarring jumpout on New Year’s Eve, he concedes the race poses several unknowns.
“It’s not a fait accompli; she’s got 60 (kilos), she’s 1100 (metres) first-up off one trial and is down the straight first time,” Nichols said.
“So, there are a few variables there that we don’t know about. But, physically, she looks very good, her work’s been good and she’s sound and well.”
One positive for the Mornington-based trainer is Esha’s perfect first-up profile. She debuted with a stylish win at Morphettville in May before returning from a break to score again at Moonee Valley on August 9.
That convincing victory encouraged Nichols to test her in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m), where she finished eighth, a result mirrored in the Group 3 Champagne Stakes (1200m) later that spring.
Nichols believes the $900,000 Magic Millions purchase has the ability to return to Stakes prominence and sees Saturday’s race as an important stepping stone.
“This is just a nice lead into the Peter Le Grand Stakes, a Group 3 over 1100 at Caulfield in four weeks,” Nichols said.
“So she’ll have that run under her belt and, because she went out early in the spring, she didn’t have a hard spring.
“She’s still quite immature, but she’s certainly furnished better now.”
Markets are open with leading online bookmakers for the Jockey Celebration Sprint, offering punters a range of wagering options.
Lachlan Neindorf will partner Esha at Flemington, where she has drawn barrier 12 and is quoted at $4, second elect behind Military Tycoon ($3.50).
The post Early return for Esha at Flemington first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
