Kirramosa all the rage for Bendigo Cup

Trainer John Sargent had originally planned to run Kirramosa in the Caulfield and Melbourne cups, but a slight injury suffered in the Epsom Handicap last start forced a change of schedule.

Sargent said the Group Three $300,000 Bendigo Cup was the perfect fit for Kirramosa.

“She’s come through some tough runs in Sydney over a mile and we know she can stay, so this race sets up perfectly for her,’’ Sargent said on Tuesday.

“She got a knock in the Epsom Handicap and pulled up sore, so that’s why she’s had three weeks between runs.

“Her last two gallops have been very good and she’ll be spot on for the Bendigo Cup.”

Punters agree with Sargent’s confidence. Kirramosa is a $4.40 favourite for the Bendigo Cup on TAB fixed odds.

Kirramosa finished unlaced behind Hooked and Kermadec in the Tramway and George Main Stakes at her first two runs this campaign.

Despite copping a heavy knock, she still finished just four-and-a-half lengths behind superstar mare Winx in the Epsom Handicap at Randwick. 

“I was going to the (Caulfield and Melbourne) Cups, but that knock put us behind and we decided to aim at Bendigo instead,’’ Sargent said.

“She is well weighted in the Bendigo Cup and we’d like to think she’s a very good chance of winning.

“She’s coming off good runs in big races in Sydney and I think she goes better the Melbourne way.

“The big track at Bendigo will suit her perfectly and there looks to be some good speed in the race.”

That speed will come from team Hawkes galloper Leebaz. The front runner is second favourite for the Cup at $4.80.

Leebaz is untried at 2400m, but did produce a strong performance over 2000m last start when third to Stratum Star.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained The Offer was well-supported in early betting.

After opening at $7.50, last year’s Sydney Cup winner was backed into $6 equal-third favourite with the Murray Baker-trained Maygrove.