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Kelinni has relished a sharp class drop to take out the Listed Japan Racing Association Plate at Randwick before his main goal of the Sydney Cup next Saturday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The Chris Waller-trained import recorded a gallant fourth in The BMW (2400m) a fortnight ago and appreciated taking on lesser opposition contesting Saturday's Listed Japan Racing Association Plate (2000m).
There were concerns surrounding Kelinni about his ability to carry 60kg on a Heavy 10 surface however class prevailed over the concluding stages as the Refuse To Bend gelding won comfortably.
Kelinni is now a $4.20 favourite for the Sydney Cup with TAB Sportsbet Fixed Odds.
“The timing has been good for a Sydney Cup,” Waller said.
“I thought three weeks into the Sydney Cup he might overrace next week. I've been saying he is one behind all the way, I want to make sure he isn't one behind in the Sydney Cup.
“He's backed up within three days and run fourth in the Melbourne Cup, this week he has a week to get over the run and mentally he's great.
“It's not an ideal run into a Sydney Cup but I'm sure Bart Cummings wouldn't be worried about a tough preparation heading into a two mile race.”
Jockey Nash Rawiller rode Kelinni cold, positioning the UK import third last behind a slow tempo.
While frontrunners Maules Creek and Fibrillation at one point looked like they would take catching, Kelinni burst onto the scene inside the furlong.
A 1.3 length win ensued for Kelinni ahead of Fibrillation with Pirate Bay posting his best result since arriving in Australia to finish third.
Rawiller will partner the Gai Waterhouse-trained Julienas in next Saturday's Sydney Cup who eased in betting for the staying feature after he flopped when contesting the Chairman's Quality (2600m).
“We always thought he [Kelinni] would be [hard to beat],” Rawiller said.
“Julienas will back up next week and I am more than happy to ride him, I've seen Gai [Waterhouse] turn them around before but this bloke has been going terrific this whole preparation and today was a nice top off for him.”