The Kris Lees trained Aliferous could potentially join stablemate Frankely Awesome in next week’s Australian Oaks following an impressive victory in Saturday’s Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes at Randwick.
The three-year-old flashed home late along the fence to win by a short head over race-favourite Amangiri, who led for most of the race to finish second.
Aliferous, who was a $51.00 chance entering the race, relaxed early on to explode down the straight with jockey Brenton Advulla on board. After winning at Tamworth earlier last month, it was a surprise win for the filly by Hinchinbrook, but experience on a wet track seemed to do the trick.
Aliferous has firmed into $15.00 for next week’s Group 1 Australian Oaks at Randwick. Photo Credit; Steve Hart.
“You never know where they come from this time of year, she was really good at Kembla the other day, she just had a tough run off the track but it was a real conditioning run for a testing track today, and she got through the ground” Lees said after the race.
“There was a lot of positives, Brenton got her to do the right thing early, got her to relax, and she’s just raced a little keen mid-race, but she was always going to be strong late and when the runs appeared she really let down on this type of ground.”
Aliferous now hopes to become the 16th horse and the first since Royal Descent in 2013 to complete the Adrian Knox-Australian Oaks double. Lees went on to say that if she pulls up well, there’s no question the stable will back her up next week.
“It’d be hard not to run if she pulls up well, we’ll give her a chance anyway” Lees said.
Despite fading late, Amangiri also fought on well under the whip to run second.
