Alabama Lass set for Aussie debut in Flemington sprint

[Wandering Eyes]

Alabama Lass winning Saturday’s Group 3 King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

A new name is about to make waves across the Tasman, with New Zealand filly Alabama Lass poised to tackle the straight at Flemington in her Australian debut this Saturday.

The classy three-year-old, trained by Ken and Bev Kelso, will line up in the Listed HKJC World Pool Sprint Classic (1200m), marking her first foray into straight racing after a stellar run on both right and left-handed tracks in New Zealand.

A winner of five from eight starts — and runner-up in her other three — Alabama Lass brings serious form to Melbourne.

Two of those second placings came in Group 1 company, though trainer Ken Kelso believes the weather played spoiler on both occasions.

“She was very brave on those rain-affected tracks,” Kelso said. “If not for the wet, she might well have been unbeaten as a three-year-old.”

The filly returned to her best with a commanding win in the Group 3 King’s Plate at Ellerslie earlier this month, flipping the script on Railway Stakes conqueror Crocetti, who has since secured a spot in next month’s $4 million The Quokka at Ascot.

That win convinced the Kelsos to roll the dice at Flemington — but the iconic straight six will be unfamiliar ground.

To help navigate the challenge, the stable has turned to local experience, booking top jockey Craig Williams for the ride. “

She’s adaptable,” Kelso said. “She doesn’t have to lead — she can take a sit if needed. That’ll be important down the straight.”

With form, class, and now the services of one of Australia’s finest jockeys, Alabama Lass looms as a serious player — and another potential Kiwi success story on Aussie soil.

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