Classy Aloisia lives up to Purcell hope
THE horse Aaron Purcell was most looking forward to training when he took over Ciaron Maher’s stable has lived up to all his expectations and is primed for her main target in the VRC Oaks today.
Aloisia is the $1.70 favourite for the $1 million 2500m race at Flemington, having already won the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) and Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m).
The Guineas was Aloisia’s first start for Purcell, who stepped in to take over Maher’s stable when he was suspended for six months in late September.
Purcell added another Group 1 win with quality colt Merchant Navy in Saturday’s Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
While Maher’s stable had a host of classy horses, Purcell rated Aloisia top of the list when he took over.
“I’ve known about quite a few of Ciaron’s horses and obviously the colts are highclass colts with big ambitions,” he said.
“Merchant Navy did a great job on Saturday and Jukebox has got a good win in him.
“But I’ve always liked to consider myself a trainer that can train a stayer and obviously the classics are the best three-year-old races you can win.
“She got a Guineas under the belt and hopefully we can get an Oaks.
“Everything she has done since I’ve been at Caulfield has just been professional, high-class.
“And there’s no reason why she won’t run up to her best. I’m sure she will be peaking (today).”
He does not believe the 2500m will be a problem for Aloisia.
“In the long run, I’m not sure she’s going to be an outand-out stayer,” he said.
“I think she might be a better 2000m horse but I think racing against three-year-old fillies, I think she’s a likely horse to run it.
“Through her attitude, her preparation and pedigree, everything suggests she’s going to run a strong 2500.”
Pinot is second favourite at $6 with UBET and Purcell rates her the hardest to beat of Aloisia’s 11 rivals.
But the trainer retains his confidence in Aloisia.
“She’s drawn a bit awkwardly (9) and is up in trip and all these other fillies have also been planned to be peaking on the day, so it’s not going to be easy,” Purcell said.
“But definitely on form she looks like she’s the one.”
Pinot is a blue blood filly by former champion juvenile Pierro out of an Australian Oaks winner Dizelle.
THROUGH HER ATTITUDE, HER PREPARATION AND PEDIGREE, EVERYTHING SUGGESTS SHE’S GOING TO RUN A STRONG 2500