Canberra trainer Garry Kirkup will look to finish a perfect first preparation with La Biere Choisie by taking out the Country Classic at Rosehill on Saturday.
Kirkup bought the four-year-old from Australian Bloodstock in September for just over $20,000 and she has since had four starts for a second and a third in the bush followed by a couple of impressive wins at Albury at her past two runs.
On the mend: Garry Kirkup will look to win the Country Classic with La Biere Choisie at Rosehill on Saturday.Credit:Richard Briggs
“She was always a nice horse when she was with Kris Lees and we have just found the right races for her,” Kirkup said. “She has really stepped up and I think the 2000 metres won’t be a problem for her on Saturday.
"She has already just about won back what we paid for her and there is more to come.
“The way she has been winning at Albury has been very impressive and when she was with Kris she ran second over this trip.”
It is nearly a year since Kirkup was involved in a car accident that killed his partner Samara Johnson but he is getting back to training a few winners.
“This mare came along at the right time and she might be a late-maturing staying type that will get better next time in,” he said. “We are really asking her to step up a couple of grades on Saturday but the way she is going she is up to it.
"She just needs to get the right run.”
La Biere Choisie has shown a great turn of foot over 1500m at Albury at her past two starts, travelling up behind the leaders before putting the race away in a couple of strides. In both wins she has put a gap in the opposition.
Kirrkup’s main worry going into Saturday’s Country Classic is the outside draw of 14.
“She settles well and if she gets the right run she can really sprint quickly as you have seen at Albury,” he said. “I would have liked to have drawn more towards the middle of the field, so she could take up a position, but with the big field I’m sure there is going to be pace on.
“I think we will come in inside 11 or 12 and then it will be up to Matthew [Cahill] to have her settle and if she does I’m sure she can be in the finish.”
The Country Classic is wide open with fellow Canberra-trained mare Rapture Miss the $5.50 favourite in front of Matt Dale stablemate Shangani Patrol at $7.50 while Most Exalted and La Biere Choisie are $8 and $9 respectively.
Dale was pleased to book Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy for the favourite, who tuned up for the race with a second on the Kensington track over 1800m.
“She profiles very well for this race and gets in very well at the weights with only 53.5,” Dale said. “It was great to get Kerrin to ride her at that weight and I think she is looking for the extra trip now.
“She is drawn to get a good run and will just need the breaks to go her way at the right time.”
Racing writer for The Sydney Morning Herald
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