Victory for Just Kick at Adelaide would be well-timed for Emma-Lee and David Browne with a crucial thoroughbred sale approaching.
She aims to open her account in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) which takes place at Morphettville on Saturday.
The filly is yet to win any of her eight races but holds four placing finishes, featuring a Stakes run—paradoxically on Anzac Day a year ago in race two, third in a Listed at Flemington over 1400m.
Emma-Lee Browne admitted the lack of a breakthrough win for Just Kick has been vexing, but they’re willing to aim high in Group 1.
In her ongoing campaign, positions include fourth to Getta Good Feeling in Group 3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m) Caulfield March 21, and third to Savitri at 1700m Caulfield 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 weighed up the VRC Oaks (2500m) Flemington spring option but passed, believing the filly needed more experience for it.
“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.”
Future plans might encompass the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm in June.
However, an entry awaits her in the Inglis Chairman’s Sale 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.”
Just Kick gets a new jockey in Harry Coffey for Saturday’s assignment.
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