Trainer Ken Kelso reveals bold Spring Carnival plan for star Kiwi galloper Legarto

Kiwi raider Legarto couldn’t have been more impressive in her first trial in the lead-up to her new campaign, with Ken Kelso throwing in a nomination for a key Spring Carnival feature.

Legarto is among the nominations for the Cox Plate. Picture: George Sal / Racing Photos

Trainer Ken Kelso will aim star Kiwi Legarto, winner of the 2023 Australian Guineas, at this year’s Cox Plate.

While the Matamata-based conditioner admitted there was a lot of water to go under the bridge in the lead up to Australia’s weight-for-age championship, there were plenty of options on the table for his stable star.

“Our money here is very good and there is no rush,” Kelso, who trains in partnership with his wife Bev, told the NZ News Desk.

“I have thrown a nomination in today for the Cox Plate.

“We haven’t made any firm plans until after the Tarzino and probably the Arrowfield.”

The daughter of Proisir has travelled across the Tasman three times for mixed results. After winning the Guineas in her first Australian mission in the autumn of 2023, she was last seen finishing sixth, beaten six lengths, by Pride Of Jenni in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) in March.

However, she looks to have come back in super order following a Te Rapa trial on Tuesday morning.

Legarto couldn't have been much more impressive in her trial. The Railway winner, Waitak, finishing off strongly from the back.

Tarzino Trophy market here: 👉https://t.co/a0z1J70Zp2@megan_winter17 | @WexfordStables | @TeAkauRacingpic.twitter.com/CKd8sfvYtt

— Trackside NZ (@TracksideNZ) August 5, 2024

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The five-year-old daughter of Proisir will trial once more ahead of a possible first-up run in next month’s Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings.

“She will trial again in the Group and Listed trial at Taupo and all going well, and the weather comes right, she will go to the Tarzino,” Kelso said.

“It is all up in the air with the weather and tracks at this stage. That is the same plan that we had last year.”

Legarto is the $3.50 favourite in futures markets with TAB for the Tarzino Trophy while she’s a $51 chance for the Cox Plate.

The Kelsos could have another Group 1 horse in the making with Alabama Lass also stepping out for her first trial of her campaign.

The daughter of Alabama Express has only been to the races on two occasions, winning her debut by nearly 10 lengths before a runner-up finish at Group 2 level to Te Akau’s Captured By Love.

⚜️ BAM! That’s winner #5 for #AlabamaExpress!

2YO filly Alabama Lass (ex Tabliope) blows the field away on debut for Ken & Bev Kelso at Matamata 🚀

Bred by @MustangRifa, she was a $120k @inglis_sales Premier buy for her trainers & Dean Hawthorne from @ShadowHillVic.

Congrats! pic.twitter.com/WrDMOW8rpx

— Yulong Investments (@YulongInvest) February 7, 2024

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“I thought it was a very nice trial. Sam (Spratt, jockey) sat her off the pace a little bit and she cruised into it and won nicely under a hold. I am very happy,” Kelso said.

“I haven’t done a lot with her, she doesn’t need to do a lot, she is quite a lightly-framed filly. She has got a lot of ability and she is a natural with what she does.”

A tilt at the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) could be on the cards for Alabama Lass, with Kelso noticing similarities with a former star.

“She has been nominated (for the 1000 Guineas) and they certainly get away with it (mile) as a three-year-old, Bounding did,” Kelso said.

“She ran in a 1000 Guineas and was very unlucky and got beaten for second and then came back and won the Railway.”

Originally published as Trainer Ken Kelso reveals bold Spring Carnival plan for star Kiwi galloper Legarto