Emma-Lee and David Browne believe a victory for Just Kick at Adelaide would come at the perfect moment ahead of a key thoroughbred auction.
The filly will attempt to secure her initial triumph as she lines up in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville this Saturday.
Although victorious in none of her eight outings, Just Kick boasts four minor placings, one of which was in a Stakes event—coincidentally on Anzac Day last year during her second appearance, where she was third in a Listed contest over 1400m at Flemington.
Emma-Lee Browne noted the irritation that Just Kick hasn’t yet claimed her maiden win, yet the stable remains eager to tackle a Group 1 race.
In the current preparation, Just Kick placed fourth behind Getta Good Feeling in the Group 3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield on March 21, then third to Savitri over 1700m there 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 Brownes considered entering her in the VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington during the spring, but opted against it, deeming the filly insufficiently prepared for the distance.
“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.”
Looking further ahead, the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm in June might feature on her schedule.
That said, Just Kick is also catalogued for 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 is set to partner Just Kick for the initial occasion on Saturday.
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