Another 3YO Star for Jakkalberry ?

Media Release - Friday September 17

Jakkalberry is developing a knack for leaving quality three-year-olds - The ill-fated Novara Park stallion enjoyed Classic success last season through the deeds of three-time Derby hero Explosive Jack, and he could have a quality filly on his hands this year in the form of Elusive Express.

The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained filly won on debut as a late two-year-old before running a game second over 1300m first-up at Bendigo earlier this month.

Elusive Express will contest the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Scott Barbour (Racing Photos)

She is now set to have her first tilt at stakes company at Caulfield on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m).

“We have given her plenty of time since she has come over and she just continues to improve as we get further into the preparation,” Freedman Racing Manager Brad Taylor said.

Advertisement

“She was a good winner on debut as a two-year-old and her run the other day was really good on a testing track. She was just beaten by a tough old gelding (Yeldarb) that got the dream run up the inside.

“She has made good improvement off that and the step-up to 1400m suits. She has just got to overcome a slightly awkward barrier of 10, but she is pretty versatile.”

While hopeful of a bold showing this weekend, Taylor expects her to improve over further ground, with the stable having the Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m) as a potential target for their filly.

“By Jakkalberry she is going to get over further, we will just see how far we get,” Taylor said.

“She could go to the Manifold (Gr.2, 1600m) through to the Ethereal (Gr.3, 2000m) and onto the Oaks. But we will be guided by what she does tomorrow.

“It doesn’t look a vintage year of three-year-old fillies. It is pretty wide open so far, so it is probably the right year to have a crack at these races.

“It is a Group Two race, which is all important for these fillies going forward.”

Taylor scouted the filly out of the New Zealand trials, having been impressed with her initial 800m trial at Te Aroha last December for trainer Clinton Isdale, and again in her runner-up effort behind Funny Girl in an 800m heat at Rotorua in March.

“Between myself and Andy Williams we bought her off that Rotorua trial and I sold her amongst stable clients,” Taylor said.

“I liked her first trial but just waited and she ran second to Funny Girl that day and she is in a nice race over 1200m (Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes at Hastings) tomorrow.

“We identified her nice and early for a filly who is going to get over ground.

“The dream with these fillies is a Thousand Guineas or an Oaks, and she is on that path, we can only dream.”

Breeder, Novara Park Principal Luigi Muollo, has retained a share in Elusive Express and Taylor said he could be in for another exciting season courtesy of the filly.

“Luigi is still in the ownership, so it is good to have him part of the stable,” Taylor said.

“He breeds plenty of horses and he has had plenty of success over here with the likes of Explosive Jack, Signora Nera, and Only Words.

“Hopefully we can add another Group One for him and he can enjoy being part of this filly.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Sires With Winners - Monday November 4
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.