Tough draw no issue for Kansas Sunflower
16380
post-template-default,single,single-post,postid-16380,single-format-standard,bridge-core-2.7.5,qodef-qi--no-touch,qi-addons-for-elementor-1.6.7,qode-page-transition-enabled,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,qode-title-hidden,qode-theme-ver-26.0,qode-theme-bridge,disabled_footer_bottom,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-6.6.0,vc_responsive,elementor-default,elementor-kit-17390

16 Sep Tough draw no issue for Kansas Sunflower

Posted at 03:03h in Racing by

A wide barrier draw won’t deter Luke Oliver from heading to Pakenham with his consistent NZ-bred mare Kansas Sunflower (NZ) (Mastercraftsman).
Oliver has a bigger race in mind for the daughter of Mastercraftsman after she contests the P&K Visser Colorbond Fencing Handicap (1600m) on Wednesday.
The mare will front up again in 10 days time for the $250,000 Inglis Cup (2000m) at Caulfield.
Kansas Sunflower has drawn the extreme outside barrier and will jump from at least gate 16 when scratchings are finalised on Wednesday.
“It will be her lead-up race for the Inglis Cup at Caulfield,” Oliver said.
“She’s drawn the outside gate, but we’ll ride her quietly.
“I just want to see her hitting the line so we can step her up to the 2000 metres for her next run.
“She’s had a good preparation and that’s been her target race all along.”
Kansas Sunflower has had a long campaign, kicking off with a maiden victory at Yarra Valley in March, progressing to a Flemington win in April.
She was placed over 1800m at Group Three company in Adelaide and then tackled a Group One race against her own kind in May.
That run, finishing 12th in the Schweppes Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville, was clearly her worst performance of the preparation, having finished in the placings at her seven other outings.
After running second to Manageress (Magnus) at Flemington on July 11, Kansas Sunflower returned for a third placing behind Abidewithme (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) and Set Square (Reset) over 1400m at Caulfield on August 29.
Despite Kansas Sunflower holding her condition and pleasing Oliver on the training track, Oliver hasn’t planned any further than the Inglis Cup, a race restricted to four-year-olds.
“The Inglis race is her goal and once we get through that race we’ll reassess our plans,” Oliver said.
“There’s probably a big chance that she’ll head to the paddock, but it’s spring and it’s hard to turn them out at this time of year, especially when there’s a lot of good races around.” – AAP TURF