Kaleo’s bad barrier habits not enough to stop colt winning at Caulfield

Talented colt Kaleo stamped himself as a spring hopeful after overcoming a slow start for an impressive win at Caulfield.

Kaleo recovers after bungling the start to win at Caulfield yesterday. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Blowing the start usually means the end of a horse’s chances but Kaleo made light of his mistake to stamp himself as a spring hopeful at Caulfield.

Kaleo was slow away when fourth on debut at Mornington on April 19 and made the same error in Saturday’s Remembering Margaret McDonald (1400m).

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The Ciaron Maher-trained two-year-old was slow to muster speed, leaving him struggling to stay in touch with the leaders until the place slackened in the $150,000 contest.

The slowdown allowed Kaleo to tack on to the bunch but the son of Churchill improved quickly once jockey Ethan Brown asked him to quicken approaching the home turn.

Kaleo easily held the $2.70 favourite Prestige Ole in the straight to score by 1¾ lengths.

Brown said Kaleo’s barrier habits needed to improve but the colt had plenty of talent.

“He got away with it today in a small field,” Brown said.

“We need to get on top of that because he is a nice horse and I can see him in better races.

“He’s going to be a lovely three-year-old.

“What I liked was when I asked for him, he was right there for me so it’s a good sign going forward.”

Kaleo takes the first at Caulfield! @[e-mail]/bAz8BKTfnt

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) May 3, 2025

Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said Kaleo still had significant physical improvement remaining.

He said the top trainer would decide whether Kaleo had another run as a two-year-old or went out for a spell to develop further ahead of a spring three-year-old campaign.

He’s still pretty doughy, as you can see, but his pre-race manners are excellent and he’s got the makings of a nice colt that should get out over further,” Turnbull said.

“You’d love to be thinking about spring with him.”

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Kakkoii led to the home turn before boxing on for a sound third on debut.

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City win well-timed for stable

There’s no better advertisement for trainers than a Saturday win in town, especially on the eve of the stable’s open day.

Cranbourne trainers Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans will open their stable to guests on the morning after Landmark broke through to win the Henley Homes Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield.

Landmark had not won since breaking his maiden last June but bounced back from an unplaced effort at Bendigo last month to post his second win from nine starts.

The son of Nicconi ran a solid third when resuming at Sandown in March but Yeomans said Landmark had not enjoyed the best of luck in his two autumn outings.

"YELLOW AND BLACK!" 🐯

Landmark drenched in the famous Richmond colours takes the third at Caulfield! @[e-mail]/M3DANqN6FE

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) May 3, 2025

“I think he’s really not had much luck this prep. He’s been running very well,” Yeomans said.

“Last prep he was possibly not fully genuine but this prep, he’s been really attacking the line.

“We did think if he got clear air, he’d be hitting the line strongly.

“It was really good to see him hit the line the way he did.”

Yeomans said Landmark rewarded Kennewell’s faith in the talented sprinter but her training partner was busy preparing their stable for Sunday’s function.

“Lloyd’s always loved this horse and he’d be devastated he’s not here today,” Yeomans said.

“He’s getting ready for our open day tomorrow and was ‘gurneying’ the stable as I left.”

Jye McNeil drove Landmark past the game runner-up Just For Show in the last 100m, making the most of a 4kg weight advantage.

Yeomans said the stable would continue to run Landmark in similar races during the coming weeks.

Originally published as Kaleo’s bad barrier habits not enough to stop colt winning at Caulfield