Just Kick out to open account in Oaks

Just Kick out to open account in Oaks
Trainers David and Emma-Lee Browne. Picture: Trish Dunell

A win in the Australasian Oaks at Morphettville would be an important one for Just Kick (NZ) (Staphanos).

Emma-Lee and David Browne say a win by Just Kick in Adelaide would be timely with an important thoroughbred sale coming up.

Just Kick is chasing her maiden victory when she heads to the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on Saturday.

The filly in winless in eight starts but has four placings to her credit, including one in a Stakes race which ironically came on Anzac Day last year in her second start when finishing third in a Listed race over 1400m at Flemington.

Emma-Lee Browne said it was frustrating that Just Kick had not broken through for her maiden success to date, but the team was happy to give a Group 1 contest a shot.

This campaign, Just Kick has finished fourth to Getta Good Feeling (So You Think) in the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield on March 21 before running third to Savitri (So You Think) over 1700m at Caulfield on April 4.

"She's been a very unlucky maiden," Browne said.

"I thought her run last time was super, but she just doesn't corner that well at Caulfield.

"She's always lost a couple of lengths on that turn, but we thought she hit the line really well and that gives us the confidence to go up in distance."

The Browne's had thoughts of contesting the VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington in the spring but decided to bypass that as they thought the filly was not seasoned enough for the trip.

"We ran out of time to get her to the Oaks in the spring, and she probably just wasn't strong enough at that point," Browne said.

"She had done everything quite nicely and was hitting the line quite well, but we just thought an autumn Oaks would be a better aim for her."

Longer term the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm in June could be on the agenda.

However, Just Kick is entered in the Inglis Chairman's Sale on May 7.

"We could come back for the filly's race here over 2500 metres or we could freshen for the Queensland Oaks and head north, but she's also entered in the Chairman's Sale as she's quite lovely bred," Browne said.

"She's got some Black Type, and it would be lovely if she could get a big one on her record and if she could win on Saturday, I think that could make the trip to the Chairman's Sale quite worth it."

Harry Coffey will ride Just Kick for the first time on Saturday.