South Australian trainer Ryan Balfour will record his biggest victory if talented filly Kenyan Wonder is successful at Flemington.,
With wins at Listed level by stable stalwart and All-Star Mile candidate, Balf’s Choice, his biggest so far, Balfour has had his eyes set on Saturday’s Group Two Kewney Stakes for some time.
Balfour said everything was on track after the filly’s impressive first-up win over 1200m at Morphettville on February 16.
“We’ve had the race in mind for a while but I just wanted to see her run well first-up,” Balfour said.
“She went around about 80 per cent with a lot of improvement to come.
“The way she won exceeded expectations and then the three horses behind her have since run the trifecta in a race.
“We know this is a huge jump in grade, a lot bigger test, but we’re excited about her and we’re looking forward to seeing her on the big track at Flemington.”
Kenyan Wonder is yet to race at 1400m and has a sprinter’s pedigree, but has a 1250m win to her credit.
“When you look at her and her racing style, she looks like a filly that we need to explore some distance with this preparation, but we’ll only be taking it each run at a time,” Balfour said.
“There’s some nice three-year-old fillies races to target in Adelaide if she can step up.”
Kenyan Wonder will be ridden by Cory Parish, a key component at Lindsay Park in Euroa, but who has become a regular rider in South Australia recently.
Balfour and Parish have struck a successful partnership this year and teamed with Kenyan Wonder in her return win.
“He’s come over early a couple of times and has done some gallops for the stable,” Balfour said.
“We don’t have a stable rider but anyone who does the work, we’ll give them the opportunity.
“He won on her first-up, knows the horse even better now, so I’m very happy to give him a go.”
