Kisukano’s big chance
Coming up on a year since Kisukano caused one of the biggest feature-race upsets in Queensland racing history, trainer Michael Nolan says the filly needs to redeem herself after producing the worst performance of her life last start.
The Toowoomba filly, perhaps best known for sailing past Rothfire ($1.20) in last year’s rich 2YO Jewel on the Gold Coast, is being targeted at the $500,000 3YO Jewel on the coast on March 13.
But first she will have to show she is a worthy contender when she steps out in the 3YO Jewel Prelude (1000m) on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday, returning to the races for the first time since a disappointing eighth to Athiri in the Listed Nudgee Stakes at Eagle Farm on January 2.
Kisukano was sent out the equal $2.80 favourite but produced a lacklustre showing and it was the first unplaced run of the filly’s 10-start career.
Nolan was mystified by the inexplicable flop, offering no excuses, but says signs are promising she will return to her brilliant best at the Sunshine Coast metropolitan meeting on Saturday. However he admits the jury is out until he sees her redeem herself.
“That last run was easily the worst run of her career, to be honest, I couldn’t believe it,” Nolan said. “For whatever reason, she just didn’t put in that day. I don’t know why.
“The good thing is that her recent work has been good, some of the best I have seen from her.
“And the 1000m of the race on Saturday looks perfect for her, going into it on the fresh side.
“But I guess we will all know more after the race, won’t we?”
Kisukano is the $4 favourite to make amends and return to her winning ways on Saturday.
She will have the steadier of 61kg – a factor Nolan admits is playing on his mind to some extent.
However he also thinks that if Kisukano puts her mind to it, her brilliance is so dazzling that the weight will not matter.
“I would certainly not say that I’m not worried about the weight because we have to concede good horses like Mass Destruction and Simply Fly a big weight advantage,“Nolan said. “But when my filly is on song and in the right frame of mind she is very, very good and if that is the case, the weight should not worry her.”
Nolan said providing Kisukano puts her mind on the job and runs in the top three on Saturday she will attack the $500,000 Jewel a fortnight later.
The Sunshine Coast track was in the heavy range on Thursday but improvement is expected.
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