Sam Kavanagh reluctantly has numbers on his side as he bids to continue his stable’s impressive start to the year at Randwick on Saturday.
Since January 1, Kavanagh’s two Sydney winners have been complemented by imported stayer Midsummer Sun making it back-to-back Gosford Gold Cup victories.
The go-ahead Rosehill trainer has also been active during the Magic Millions sales, buying three yearlings.
And he hopes to open his stable door to potential new clients with a breakfast on Sunday morning that could also double as another celebration with Palazzo Pubblico and I Am Zelady racing at Randwick on Saturday.
Palazzo Pubblico and I Am Zelady are among 13 entries in a benchmark race for three-year-old fillies but Kavanagh would prefer if they didn’t have to meet.
“It’s not ideal for them to be racing against each other because they are two progressive fillies,” Kavanagh said.
“But there’s just not enough fillies’ races around.
“They either need to take on the older horses if we have to split them or take on the colts.”
Palazzo Pubblico will go into the race as the in-form filly of the pair after wins at Wyong and Warwick Farm at her only two runs since resuming.
She will shoot for her hat-trick without jockey Brenton Avdulla who heads to Melbourne to ride Red Excitement in the Chester Manifold Stakes but will lose nothing in Kerrin McEvoy.
“Palazzo Pubblico does everything right, puts herself in a position and is going to be very hard to beat,” Kavanagh said.
While Palazzo Pubblico is bombproof, Kavanagh says it is not the case with I Am Zelady, in the market in two placed runs since a win on debut at Canterbury in October.
“I Am Zelady is very talented, probably more talented than the other filly but does a lot of things wrong. She misses the start and has got a few issues,” Kavanagh said.
“And to be honest, I Am Zelady is probably looking for a bit further. She’s going to end up a good miler.”
I Am Zelady also figures in a riding switch with Jason Collett back on top after riding her in her first two starts.
