Mick Price believes Knobelas will handle another rise in grade, with the three-year-old filly set to tackle the Silver Bowl Series Final at Flemington on Saturday.
The daughter of Belardo has been an impressive winner at her past two starts, handling the rise from maiden to benchmark 70 grade with ease at her most recent start.
After missing the start on debut at Pakenham over 1400m and catching the eye late in second, the OTI Racing filly has led and won by big margins over 1600m at her past two, justifying the early opinion Price and training partner Michael Kent Jnr had of her.
“She’s going well, Knobelas,” Price said.
“We had a very big opinion of her when we first bought her from New Zealand but then she had an issue and needed tie-forward surgery.
“She’s progressed well in her first campaign, Ben Melham worked her on Saturday morning, she worked good, she looks good and we’re very happy with her.
The name Melham will be in the form guide for Knobelas, but which Melham rides will come down to her allotted weight.
“I’m not sure if J Kah (Melham) or Ben Melham rides, I’m not sure on the weight yet.
“She’s an average track worker, better on race day, and I think she’ll be very well suited.
“The last two wins have been good.”
Price suggested Knobelas would probably head to the paddock after Saturday’s race, and while stakes targets are enticing, the pragmatic trainer is happy to take things slow.
“She’ll be a good chance on Saturday but then likely have a break,” Price said.
“We’ll be happy to build her rating at this point. I don’t think you can keep going and going through the Spring.”
