Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou have opted to split their trio of three-year-olds in the Phar Lap Stakes, confirming Call Di will bypass the race in favour of a start in the Kembla Grange Classic.
It will leave Brosnan and A Lot More Love to fly the stable’s flag in the Group 2 Rosehill feature where they will take on classy Chris Waller-trained filly Zougotcha.
Ryan believes the Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) is the right race for Call Di, who is bred in the purple being by Frankel out of multiple Group 1 winner Samantha Miss.
The three-year-old was Listed placed at just her second start then returned this campaign with a first-up win over 1400m at Randwick’s Kensington track.
She headed south to the Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) at her most recent appearance and did a mighty job to make late ground for third to Shuffle Dancer.
“She went to Melbourne last start and ran well there in a slow-run race, she finished off in one of the best 600-metres of the day,” Ryan said.
“She will appreciate tomorrow’s race, there looks to be good speed and she will enjoy the wide-open spaces of Kembla.”
The Classic has attracted a strong field headed by exciting New Zealander Polygon, who showed a devastating turn of foot to win at Te Rapa last start and will be making her Australian debut.
VRC Oaks runner-up Pavitra, Newcastle Spring Stakes winner Pierossa and Tea Rose Stakes placegetter Wolverine are also on target for the Group 3 event.
Friday’s race is a traditional springboard into the longer fillies’ features during the autumn carnival, including the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and ATC Australian Oaks (2400m), and Ryan says both are in their sights with Call Di.
“They’re on the agenda. Her next start after tomorrow will be the Vinery and then we’ll decide whether we go on to the Oaks or not,” he said.
“She’s a well bred filly and she is going to get over more ground.”
