Te Akau Racing will line up promising two-year-old filly Kiss Me In Paris in Saturday’s Magic Millions VIC 2YO Classic (Race 5) at Caulfield Heath, confident the Capitalist youngster has the education and professionalism to measure up on race day.
Assistant trainer Ben Gleeson said the filly had shown natural talent from the outset, but patience had been key to getting her to this point.
“She’s been a really promising filly, early days she showed us plenty,” Gleeson said. “Last preparation she had a few quirks around the barriers and we had to tip her out and give her some time.”
That time away proved invaluable, with Kiss Me In Paris undergoing a re-education process that has transformed her approach.
“She had some re-education with Julien Welsh, who has done wonders for her. Once we got that time and patience with her she’s come back in and been going well.”
Her recent jump-outs have reinforced the stable’s confidence, particularly her ability to handle conditions and quicken when asked.
“The first jump out was lovely on a pretty rain-affected track, even though it was just a quiet one,” Gleeson said. “Her most recent jump out she jumped with them, sat wide and quickened away from them.”
By Capitalist, Kiss Me In Paris profiles as the type to cope with the demands of early two-year-old racing, something Gleeson believes will hold her in good stead on Saturday.
“She’s that early type of Capitalist that should withstand early two-year-old racing.”
While acknowledging the usual uncertainties that come with juvenile races, Gleeson said the filly could not be heading to the races in better order.
“There’s a lot of unknowns on Saturday, but she goes there fit, well educated and from a lovely barrier. Hopefully we can hold a spot in the first half of the field.”
Gleeson was also bullish about her winning prospects in what shapes as an even contest.
“Yeh, I do think she’s capable of winning. Watching all their jump outs there are some promising horses in it by all means, but I would say time-wise and looks they’ve all been pretty even across the board,” he said.
“There’s plenty of other factors that come into play — how they handle the day, the barriers and what not. But our filly, I think, is professional enough to really equip herself well.”
