Discover the thrilling journey of Our Kobison, a rising star in the racing world, as he gears up for a lucrative summer campaign, aiming to conquer the Starlight Stakes and beyond at Rosehill Gardens.
Following the conclusion of the Spring Carnival and with top-tier sprinters taking a break, trainer Angela Davies recognizes a chance to unleash her standout horse, Our Kobison, in a profitable summer campaign. This five-year-old gelding, who has an impressive record of six wins out of 12 starts, is slated to headline the Listed $200,000 Starlight Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. As the $4.50 favorite, Our Kobison is poised to make an impact in this fiercely competitive sprint event.
Davies, fully aware of the strategic opportunities within the stakes calendar, has carefully mapped out Our Kobison’s trajectory. The Starlight Stakes is intended to be the launching pad for a campaign heading to Queensland, with the Listed Falvelon Quality (1200m) at Eagle Farm on December 21 pinpointed as a significant objective. 'If he can win the Falvelon, he qualifies for the Magic Millions Snippets,' Davies noted. 'Being a homebred from Queensland, he'll have his shot if everything aligns perfectly. It's an enticing possibility.'
Our Kobison's short spring campaign highlighted his abilities. He achieved a strong first-up win, which was followed by a commendable second-place finish in the Group 3 Show County Quality, but his journey ended with a disappointing eighth in the Group 2 the Shorts. Following that performance, Davies decided to give the sprinter a break, considering the high caliber of competitors he encountered. "The strategy has always been to steer clear of the Everest and Group 1 opponents," she remarked. "He has been managed with care to ensure he is prepared for races where he has a better chance of success."
To prepare for his summer campaign, Our Kobison spent three weeks resting in the paddock before resuming training with just one trial completed. Davies believes that this strategy has helped the gelding maintain his residual fitness while sharpening his edge. “He’s come back beautifully and is in fantastic condition. We’ve kept him ready for this campaign, and he’s set to demonstrate his capabilities at the stakes level,” she stated.
The Starlight Stakes has attracted a competitive group of 21 nominations, with only 16 positions available for the final lineup. Among the notable contenders are Brad Widdup's Jedibeel, whose odds have reduced to $5, and Godolphin's Contemporary, which has been backed down to $6. Other potential threats include Front Page, a two-time winner of The Kosciuszko, and the Queensland pair of Party for Two and Appin Girl, both listed at $15. The race promises to deliver an exciting clash between both emerging and established sprinters.
For Davies and Our Kobison, the stakes are elevated, but so is the possibility of triumph. The gelding's consistent improvement and careful handling demonstrate a strategic effort to excel during a crucial period in the racing calendar. With the Starlight Stakes on the horizon, all attention will be focused on Rosehill Gardens to witness whether this talented sprinter can advance further in realizing his significant potential.
