Inkaruna will get the opportunity to chase a lucrative spring payday this weekend, with the Sam and Anthony Freedman stable confirming the filly will head to Caulfield on Saturday.
The daughter of I Am Invincible ran a brave race down the Flemington straight when finishing second to stablemate Point Barrow in last Thursday’s Group 3 Red Roses Stakes at Flemington, and now switches to the 1200m Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes.
The race, which has been scheduled as part of the revamped CF Orr Stakes Raceday, carries a $1 million purse this year, making it one of the most attractive late-carnival options for three-year-old fillies.
“We kept it in mind for her and she’s pulled up well,” Sam Freedman said.
“She hasn’t had a taxing campaign, so rolling on again makes sense. We’ll go there and see how she handles it.”
The Red Roses was her third run this prep, having finished seventh in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) and third in the Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m) earlier in the spring.
My Gladiola, the cap d’Antibes winner and runner-up in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, headlines the list of 24 entries and looms as the yardstick.
Point Barrow, who defeated Inkaruna on Oaks Day, has already headed to the paddock, with the stable opting not to press forward further.
Stablemate Caffettiera is also nominated but faces a fight to make the field from his ballot position.
Freedman said Inkaruna’s improved early speed with blinkers will be crucial again.
“If she can put herself a touch closer, that’s going to help her a lot,” he said.
The stable may also have Katsumi Orochi running in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m), with Freedman believing the colt will benefit from a rise in trip after finishing 11th in the Listed Springtime Stakes (1400m) on Melbourne Cup Day.
“He’s probably just looking for further,” Freedman said.
The Group 1 Orr Stakes has drawn just 11 entries, headlined by Jimmysstar and Angel Capital.
If you’re backing a runner in the Thoroughbred Club Stakes, compare odds via the Australian betting sites list.
