Trainer Olivia Cairns has seen her initial frustrations with Kobability replaced by a growing confidence, and on Thursday, they will target a third consecutive victory at Ipswich.
The five-year-old mare, by Kobayashi, is set to follow up wins in a Doomben maiden and a Sunshine Coast 0-58 event by contesting the Vince Insurance Class 2 Plate (1690m), which serves as the final race on the program.
These represent the first two wins of a career that has now extended to 20 starts, and Cairns is relieved to have seen her horse turn her form around.
“Her work’s always been super – she’s always worked good enough to win a race anywhere in the world – so it got quite frustrating that she could work so good but do so bad,” Cairns commented.
She further explained the mare’s past physical limitations: “But on the physical side of it, she just wasn’t strong enough to maintain the strength for racing.”
Cairns noted the significant improvement this preparation: “This time in, from the get-go, she was a lot stronger and she came back in with a lot more condition on her. She’s held her condition, has looked a lot better and lot stronger and she’s going well.”
Kobability, who joined Cairns’ stable after finishing last on her debut when trained by Kelly Schweida, has led from barrier to post in her last two starts, first over 1350m at Doomben and then over 1600m last time out.
She is stepping up another 90 metres in distance this week, a factor that gives Cairns some pause, but she hopes that Kobability’s established racing style will be an advantage at Ipswich.
“I would have probably rather it be a mile (1600m) – I think a mile might pull her up – so whether she’ll see that out is my only concern,” Cairns said. “But her customary role seems to be to race up in the first four or handy and get that nice roll along, because she gives you a length on straightening and then maintains it and I think that’s where she’s winning her races.”
Cejay Graham, who partnered Kobability to her recent Sunshine Coast victory, will remain on board for the Ipswich assignment. The pair will jump from barrier six in the field of 13 runners.
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