Richard Jolly is cautious with talented galloper Karacasu ahead of his first run down the Flemington straight in the $160,000 Listed A R Creswick Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.
Karacasu returned to his best form at Murray Bridge last start and Jolly said the son of Headwater has bumped into a very smart off season field.
“He’s been really good since he won the other day but in saying that I probably didn’t think this would be as strong as what it is for a race in the middle of the year,’’ Jolly said.
Aside of bumping into exciting gallopers Star Patrol and Passive Aggressive, Jolly said having his first race down the straight was another cause for concern.
“I’m not so much concerned that he won’t handle the straight, we just know he’s better coming off a hot speed around a bend,’’ Jolly said.
Despite the unknowns Jolly said they go to Melbourne confident the horse is back to his best after he made a mess of rivals at Murray Bridge last start winning by 4.5 lengths.
“It was good to see him do that with the big weight,’’ Jolly said.
“It was the first time we’ve had him right for some time it was good to see him come and do that,’’ he said.
Locally, Jolly has a big team at Murray Bridge and said Keep Reading was a horse who could measure up in better races as he progresses.
“Keep Reading is a nice three-year-old,’’ Jolly said.
“We’ll look to run him in the Lightning, and I think he’s a capable horse,’’ he said.
