Thanks Gorgeous has matched her reliable performances with a victory right on the line in a stakes event at Flemington.
The filly prepared by Mark and Levi Kavanagh captured the Listed VRC Sprint Classic (1200m) during Saturday’s meeting, marking her third success this campaign.
Ridden by Craig Williams, Thanks Gorgeous ($19) surged in the closing stages to catch Tycoon Star ($9.50) by a nose, while Bacash ($31) was a short-head back in third.
The filly had displayed solid efforts in her initial preparation, featuring a placing in Group company at Caulfield back in August, but she broke her maiden status at Mornington on New Year’s Day.
Following that, Thanks Gorgeous notched a win over 1100m up Flemington’s straight, followed a placing over the identical distance and venue, and then triumphed again on Saturday.
Levi Kavanagh noted that the filly has performed admirably for the team and holds strong credentials against quality rivals, such as My Gladiola, who started as the $2.30 favourite and ended up fourth.
“We thought she was a specialist at the Caulfield track early on, but she was running at 1200 metres and not quite getting there,” Kavanagh said.
“Since we’ve been running her down the straight, she has been exceptional.
“The 1100 metres is the key, she got through the ground well and it was a great ride from Craig. I would have liked him to get there a little bit earlier to keep my heart a little less pounding, but she was in front where she needed to be and that was fantastic.”
Kavanagh mentioned he believed Thanks Gorgeous coped well with the heavy track on Saturday, though some rivals might have navigated it more effectively.
Consideration is now required on whether to give Thanks Gorgeous a spell or extend her preparation that kicked off last October.
“We have looked at going to Adelaide, but she has been to be up for a long time,” Kavanagh said.
“She’s a horse that does not like to spell down at the farm and loves being in work. She’s always happy at the stables, so we’ll see how she pulls up.”
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