Image: Bruno Canatelli
Adelaide sprinter Calypso Reagan set to run for the first time in the Australia Stakes at Mooney Valley
An off-centre draw and a slightly longer journey enticed Adelaide trainer David Jolly to Melbourne with sprinter Calypso Reign.
Jolly decided that the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Mooney Valley was a better choice rather than the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Calypso Reign had gate one at Adelaide and would jump six of a seven-horse field at The Valley.
Jolly said “After the draw it became clear that this was a better choice as he is more effective over six furlongs (1200 metres) these days.”
“He’s got a draw that’s just off center as he comes back and rounds them like a horse.
“At home it’s a bit short for him and he drew a handicap which is probably the worst draw he’s had.”
The Durbridge Stakes was intended as the starting point of a campaign for Calypso Reign, who has won eight of her 28 starts and has been a surprise packet for Jolly.
Calypso Reign won three races from four starts during the winter and Jolly turned her attention to the Group 3 Spring Stakes at Morphettville, where stablemate Behemoth, owned by similar interests, was moving up.
“I had a chat with the Grand Syndicate boys, and I said, ‘I know we’re going to Behemoth in the Spring Stakes, but this horse is going well and deserves a shot at it’,” said Jolly.
“We were at the stage where he was starting to put on weight in handicaps, and I thought why not throw at the stumps.
“He came into it with residual fitness, and it woke us up and noticed that he had improved.”
Jolly doubts that Calypso Rain is up to the best sprinters who will line up in Group 1 sprints during the Melbourne autumn but is happy to take her chance at the start of the new year.
“We’re trying to find a way for that,” Jolly said.
“He is not a Group 1 sprinter in the autumn in Melbourne, but he could be a Goodwood horse here in Adelaide, so these off-peak sprints at the moment are likely to suit him.
“We were getting him ready for Durbridge, but then we had a discussion that the race might be a bit soft and pay to watch, and I’m happy to throw at the stumps. it.”
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