Agalia Primed at Melbourne Hit-Run Mission

Monday, 30 September 2002 00:00

Speedy mare Agalia is being primed for a first-up assault at Caulfield on Saturday week.

The five-year-old, prepared by leading Morphettville trainer David Balfour, hasn’t raced since finishing fifth in the Listed Liz Davenport Classic (1050m) at Morphettville in May.

She trialled nicely at Victoria Park today, though, and is being aimed at the Adairs Plate (1200m) for mares on October 12.

"She ran third in her trial but went really well," Balfour said. "She wasn’t asked to do too much. I think she’s best when fresh so we decided to give her the chance to run in a decent race in Melbourne first-up."

Agalia has five wins and a placing from just five starts and was an unlucky ninth in the Group 2 Swettenham Stud Stakes behind Suzy Grey in February.

Balfour will also return to Melbourne the following week - Caulfield Cup day - with stablemates Cobamuse and Ten Carat.

Cobamuse broke his maiden status only yesterday but has had six minor placings – including four in stakes grade. He will run in the Listed Tupperware Cup (1400m) for colts and geldings.

"He was one of the best-performed maidens going around," Balfour said. "He was stiff in a few of his runs and should have been a stakes winner. His form behind horses such as Lashed and Hydrometer is good as well."

Balfour said the gelding had pulled up well after winning by more than five lengths in Class 2 company at Victoria Park yesterday and would appreciate the step up to 1400m.

Former Kiwi Ten Carat, a last-start winner at Morphettville, has continued to thrive since arriving at Morphettville and will run in the Fillies and Mares Classic (1100m).

"She won her first two starts in New Zealand but her form after that was terrible," Balfour said. "She settled in really well and her trackwork was sensational leading into her first start for me but, having never seen her race, it was hard to know what she was going to do. She won quite easily though and has continued to thrive, so we decided to give her the chance in better grade."

Meanwhile veteran sprinter Mint Of Gold, who also trialled brilliantly at Victoria Park today, will begin his campaign at the same track Park on October 19.

"He’s had so many problems throughout his career but is going about as well as ever," Balfour said. "He trialled super but I’d just like to get him back to winning form."

Media Release - Jason Hickson (TRSA)