Archie Alexander believes there was no fluke about the debut performance of Chaillot which has prompted the trainer to give the two-year-old filly her chance in stakes grade at her second start.
A $25,000 yearling purchase, Chaillot was sent out a $31 chance on debut in a 1200m Ballarat maiden for two-year-old fillies earlier this month and defied her starting price to come from near last for a 1-3/4-length win.
Chaillot steps up in class in Thursday’s Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.
“She was very good on debut,” Alexander said.
“She slightly surprised us because she has been a slow developer and she has never been one of those two-year-olds that you think are going to be really sharp.
“But it was a good win and I think there was no fluke about it. She came from basically last to first and won easily.”
Jordan Childs rode Chaillot at Ballarat but Craig Williams takes over on Thursday with the filly’s weight just below Childs’ comfort zone.
“She has got 54 kilos, we’ve got a top jockey on and I think she will run well,” Alexander said.
“We’ll just be riding her patiently and in that type of race for two-year-olds, if she could get some black type for running top three that would be great.”
The Anthony Freedman-trained Super Seth is the odds-on favourite in the small field to make it three wins from as many starts after impressive wins at Ballarat and Caulfield, with Chaillot on the second line of betting.
While Super Seth looms as the horse to beat, Alexander feels Chaillot deserves her chance in the race.
“Obviously he is a very good horse and we’re not saying we’re going to go there and beat him, but she is in form and has done nothing wrong,” Alexander said.
“So why shouldn’t she take her chance?
“And I’m sure there is still good prize money for second.”
Alexander also has a runner in the other feature race on the program, with Convict Sam lining up in the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) for three-year-olds in what the trainer said would be the stayer’s final start before a spell.
