Karavas remains undefeated after Ottawa Stakes success
Jake Toeroek along with Richard & Chantelle Jolly have combined early on VRC Oaks Day at Flemington as Karavas ($8.00) proved too good for her rivals in the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes (1000m).
The daughter of Alabama Express had been the beneficiary of race-day experience prior to Thursday, already breaking her maiden status at Murray Bridge on October 7.
It may have played a part in her impressive win on Thursday, as Jake Toeroek was able to get the two-year-old to settle in behind a wall of runners down the Flemington straight.
Harpalee (+450), Arabian Summer (+550) and Eneeza (+320) all pressed forward in a line of three, ensuring a genuine test over the five-furlong journey, and as the race went on, it appeared Arabian Summer and Eneeza were bound to fight out the finish.
It was the Richard & Chantelle Jolly-trained filly that finished best in the end, gaining the better of her opposition to secure victory.
2023 Group 3 Ottawa Stakes Replay – Karavas | T: Richard & Chantelle Jolly | J: Jake Toeroek
It’s not the first time the Jolly association has had success in this race at Flemington, as See You In Heaven saluted in the 2021 edition of the Ottawa Stakes.
Richard Jolly was on course to praise the performance of his filly and compared her in a similar vein to See You In Heaven but may be a better sprinting type moving forward.
“It means a lot with these two-year-olds (to win), said Jolly.
“Once they’ve had a start you see a lot of them improve after that run (and) she won at Murray Bridge.
“The knockers, or people out there, disregard our form a little bit and good on them because she started at good odds.
“This girl is probably a bit more precocious. In saying that, See You In Heaven went on to race well as a two-year-old but she’s got out to a trip now where I feel this filly is going to be a sprinting type.
“We can put her away now and aim her at some nice races in the autumn.”
Jake Toeroek was elated with the performance of Karavas in his post-race assessment and was thrilled to maintain the ride after winning aboard the filly first-up.
“She improved a lot,” said Toeroek.
“Especially the progression from her first start to her second start. The gallop the other day was incredible.
“She went out in the middle of the grass with nothing in sight. She didn’t wander, she was pretty confident coming up the straight today and a massive thanks to owner Neville for keeping me on her back. A big thrill.
“Beautiful… lovely filly, she’s got a great attitude, she showed ‘em what we got.”