Karavali claims Group 3 Aspiration Quality
Karavali has claimed an important stakes win with her victory in the Aspiration Quality at Randwick.
Trainer Kris Lees will approach the Group Three Epona Stakes with confidence after Karavali won at black-type level at the first attempt.
And Newcastle Lees expects the four-year-old mare to pose an even greater threat at Rosehill March 24 after she got the bob in to pip $3 favourite The Pinnacle in the Group Three City Ford Aspiration Quality (1600m) at Randwick.
Karavali ($5) claimed a tight finish under the in-form Jason Collett to win by a head while fast-finishing Nettoyer ($4.40) filled the minor placing, a half-head further back.
“She’s come back in really good order and it’s nice to get some black-type,” Lees said.
He said the Epona Stakes over 1900m in a fortnight was the next goal of this preparation.
“I think she’s got more wins in store when she gets over a bit of ground. I think she’ll be suited again at 1900 (metres).”
Karavali is in her third preparation since coming from New Zealand in 2016, and Lees noticed a key enhancement when this campaign started at Canterbury last month.
“Her manners have improved, that’s the most important thing,” he said.
“She always had a lot of ability, but she has been a bit of a handful on race day. She’s getting race confidence, you can’t beat winning.”