New Zealand filly Alabama Lass pulls off Flemington raid in HKJC World Pool Sprint Classic
New Zealand raider Alabama Lass will head back home for a well-earned spell after a commanding frontrunning win at Flemington, and the filly could be back for the spring.
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Kiwi raider Alabama Lass justified the short quote with victory in the Listed HKJC World Pool Sprint Classic (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday.
The Ken and Bev Kelso-trained three-year-old filly led from start to finish as the $2.40 favourite and then defied a late challenge outside from Gallant Son.
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“Stunning, she’s just a very fast filly,” Ken Kelso said.
“She just puts herself there and keeps going, she’s pretty special.
“She tries really hard and she relaxes early in her races. She’s really fast but she just drops the bit and just lobs along so she doesn’t exert a lot of energy.”
Kelso confirmed the multiple Group 1 runner-up Alabama Lass, a six-time winner from nine starts, would return home to New Zealand for a well-earned spell before any consideration to spring plans.
“I’m not going to make decisions on race day,” Kelso said.
“She’s only three, she’s only going to get better.”
Alabama Lass has lead all the way to win the 1100m event.
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) March 29, 2025
First run, first win in Australia after a success stint in New Zealand.@CWilliamsJockeypic.twitter.com/4ZmP7zO7oZ
Kelso said the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) during the Melbourne Cup carnival would be an obvious target.
“We’ll get her home, think about it (spring) and see, there’ll be some sprint races here in the spring,” Kelso said.
“She deserves a little spell, she has been up a little while, onward and upward from here.”
The only disappointment for Kelso on Saturday was not being able to share the win – his second at Flemington after Legarto triumphed in the 2023 Australian Guineas, with wife Bev.
Bev Kelso cannot travel due to ill health.
“It’s just sad Bev can’t make it here now, she’d love to be here, like she was Australian Guineas,” Ken Kelso said.
“A shame she can’t make the trips now but I’m sure she gave the couch a bit of a hiding.”
Champion jockey Craig Williams endorsed Alabama Lass’s potential.
“She’s really shown how good she is over there (NZ) beating their best horse, in the older horse, and she’s only a three-year-old filly and I was really fortunate and delighted to get the call-up and ride her,” Williams said.
“It was a great race to come over for and he’s (Kelso) obviously got a great team around him, he brought the right product and didn’t waste anyone’s time.”
Gallant Son, trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, travelled sweetly just off the speed and finished hard late to threaten inside the last 100m.
Rich Dottie rounded out the top three.
Originally published as New Zealand filly Alabama Lass pulls off Flemington raid in HKJC World Pool Sprint Classic
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