Kallos victorious in G2 Rubiton Stakes

Talented sprinter Kallos emerged as a serious contender for the time-honoured Oakleigh Plate later this month when he scored a dashing victory in the G2 Rubiton Stakes (1,100m) at Caulfield on Saturday, 10 February.

First-up after two trials in Sydney, Kallos steamed down the outside from well back to beat Asfoora by a length with team Godolphin stablemate Zapateo a head away in third place.

Kallos had won three Stakes races during his previous 18 starts but has returned in perhaps the best form of his career.

“He just got a good cart into the race, even though he was a bit wide early,” Cummings said.

“Blake Shinn did the right thing by riding him the way I wanted first-up, not to try to dive for the spot early from the draw.”

Cummings was also delighted with Zapateo’s first-up run to finish a closing third.

“She was excellent, and don’t forget she was favoured to win the Sheraco (Stakes) first-up last campaign,” he said.

“Peeling ground off Asfoora late, third to the stablemate means she could be in for a very good prep.

“It’s ideal from her because she’s perhaps got one prep left with us (before stud).

“The Oakleigh Plate could also be her race, but one of her big targets is probably the Sangster.

“But the Oakleight Plate would be a nice race for her along the way, as she’d get in good at the handicaps.”

The G1 Robert Sangster Stakes is run at weight-for-age for fillies and mares over 1,200m at Morphettville on May 11.