Trainer Ken Kelso upbeat Legarto can produce surprise result in Group 1 Australian Cup
Co-trainer Bev Kelso will be cheering from afar as tough mare Legarto attempts to cause an upset in the Australian Cup at Flemington.
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The couch at Ken and Bev Kelso’s house back in New Zealand is going to cop a hiding win, lose or draw in the Group 1 Australian Cup on Saturday at Flemington.
Unfortunately wife Bev cannot be at Flemington due to ill health but passionate horsewoman will be watching Legarto closely in pursuit of Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni.
• Early Oil: Australian Cup day race-by-race analysis
“It’s just a bit sad that Bev has been very ill lately and she can’t make the trip,” Ken Kelso said.
“She’d love to be here, but she’s not in the best of health at the moment.
“It’s quite sad she can’t be here for this time honoured race.”
Legarto is a $13 chance with TAB to cause a minor upset in the Australian Cup.
Legarto won the Australian Guineas at Flemington last year.
The “big and strong” four-year-old mare - “a big bus really” - has returned to Melbourne in the best shape possible for her biggest test to date.
“I think she’s out to $12-13 in the market, it’s good, every time she runs in New Zealand she goes out $1.50 so probably takes a bit of the pressure off,” the Matamata trainer said.
“I think she’s a genuine chance, we’re going to get a good line on her Saturday but she always runs a good race.”
• ‘Took a champion to beat us’: King reflects on Australian Cup agony
Legarto has won nine of 14 starts and placed three times.
Her only blemish came in the Golden Eagle last year when she missed the kick badly but recovered to record fast closing sectionals.
Kelso is quietly confident Legarto has conditions to suit on Saturday with tough and bold frontrunner Pride Of Jenni to ensure a genuine tempo.
“It’s what she wants, speed early in the race and good pace on, so she can hopefully get over the top of them,” Kelso said.
“It’s going to be an interesting race, a nine horse field, it’s going to be quite tactical … those two (Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside) might be a little bit vulnerable at 2000m.
“That’s her pattern of racing to get back and finish over the top of them, hopefully we get a good run in transit and she’ll be able to let down and show her best.”
Legarto will be spelled after Saturday to potentially prepare for the Cox Plate in October.
“We intended to make this our grand final, get her back to Flemington, like we did last year,” Kelso said.
“The owners are harbouring thoughts of maybe a Cox Plate and things like that, we’ll get through Saturday and work it out from there.”
Originally published as Trainer Ken Kelso upbeat Legarto can produce surprise result in Group 1 Australian Cup
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