Vain Stakes to shape spring campaign for Kobayashi

Darryl Sherer - Monday August 14

Trainer Troy Corstens is anticipating Saturday's Group III Vain Stakes at Caulfield will shape the spring campaign of exciting colt Kobayashi.

Kobayashi heading out to trial at Flemington last Friday. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Kobayashi led all the way to win the Listed Redoute's Choice Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield by three lengths last time out in April and Corstens, who trains the son of I Am Invincible in partnership with his father Leon, says the colt has pleased in two trials ahead of resuming.

You can watch Kobayashi in the black jacket winning his 800m heat last Friday in 44.01 seconds below.

"He hasn't been under any pressure in his two jumpouts and he's pleased us in both," Corstens said.

"It's hard to say if he's improved from last preparation because he has not been off the bit but I can say he's come back very well and is moving very well."

Kobayashi has won his last two starts, both over 1200m at Caulfield, and Corstens said Saturday's race over 1200m is the ideal starting point before culminating in what he believes can be Group I level.

"We're going into the spring with our eyes and mind open," Corstens said. "The way he won the Listed race suggests he is up to winning better races and we're thinking he can get us to either the Caulfield Guineas or the Coolmore on Derby day.

"Saturday's race will give us more of an idea but we're certainly very happy with him."

Corstens will also saddle last start Group I winner Montoya's Secret in Saturday's Group II PB Lawrence Stakes over 1400m.

The daughter of High Chaparral was another to jumpout last Friday and has the Caulfield Cup as her ultimate aim.

"She's come back well and Saturday is the right race for her to start," Corstens said. "She's come back stronger and looks terrific so we're looking forward to getting her back to the races."

Ben Thompson has been engaged to ride Kobayashi and Noel Callow will be aboard Montoya's Secret.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
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.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.