A delay to the start of the racing career of Kiki Express has landed the filly a debut win at Caulfield.
In a deceptive finish, Kiki Express landed the prize in the Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) on Saturday and has likely earned herself a spell for the autumn.
Ridden by Damian Lane, Kiki Express ($18) got the bob in to score by a nose from the $3.60 favourite Brereton with Renosu ($12) a half-length away third.
The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained two-year-old was being aimed to make her debut at Flemington last Saturday, but the stable ran out of time.
“She trialled down the straight and got a bit big in condition, so we bided our time and came here today,” Ellerton said.
“She could well have done her job now.
“She’s not a big girl and has got to come up in the wither a fair bit but she’s just been so professional the whole way through.
“She’s just very natural.”
Brereton raced outside the leader Mogulist before taking over early in the straight.
It looked as though Kiki Express was going to run Brereton down easily early in the straight, but the favourite responded gamely.
Lane was unsure whether he had got the bob in aboard Kiki Express.
“If I had put my life on it, I would have said I’d got beaten, but she got the bob,” Lane said.
“She’s a tough filly. She’s really progressed well throughout this preparation.
“To his credit (Brereton) he kicked really strong, but my filly picked up well.”
Kiki Express is by Sepoy from the Redoute’s Choice mare Malosse and was not offered through the yearling sales during the year.
