Connections of Ellicazoom resisted the temptation to run her in the Australian Guineas and instead the Perth filly will chase a Group Two win against her own age and sex in the Kewney Stakes at Flemington.
The Neville Parnham-trained three-year-old made her eastern states debut at Caulfield in the Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) on February 25.
She raced outside the leader and battled on gamely with Savanna Amour getting the nod by a short head..
Backing up seven days later in the Group One Australian Guineas (1600m), won by Hey Doc, was among the options but instead Parnham said he and the owners decided to wait for Saturday’s Kewney (1400m).
“Obviously being a Group One race we did give it some consideration but I thought it was all too hard for her,” Parnham said.
“She only got off the plane on the Thursday morning then raced on the Saturday at Caulfield and then would have had to run again seven days later.
“We decided that probably wasn’t the best preparation and it would be better to stick to the girls and the 1400 metres. So that’s what we’re going to do.”
Parnham said Ellicazoom galloped extremely well at Flemington on Tuesday and he is looking forward to Saturday.
He believes the barrier draw cost the filly last start when she jumped from seven of nine.
“She’s had a little bit longer to settle in and everything seems to be in good order with her. She hasn’t missed a beat,” he said.
“We’re expecting she can race to her best on Saturday.
“She was very brave the other day. She’s a better chaser and had she drawn that fraction better the other day we could have slotted in and I think she would have won.”
Ellicazoom has barrier nine in the Kewney field of 15 which includes Group One winner I Am A Star who is clearly the highest-rated horse in the race and meets her opposition at set weights.
I Am A Star has barrier four while Flying Jess, who defeated Global Glamour to win the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast in January, jumps from 12 while The Vanity winner Kenedna has gate 14.
By Mathew Toogood
MELBOURNE, March 8 AAP