Queen of the Turf: Last chance for Aussie G1 boost for Kiwi mare Levante
Levante's owners are looking for an Aussie G1 win before sale
Kiwi raider Levante will look to go out with a bang as she gears up for her swan song performance in Saturday's Group 1 Queen Of The Turf (1600m) at Randwick.
Ken and Bev Kelso's stable star has chalked up four Group 1 victories back home in New Zealand but will be racing for more than the $1m prizemoney in Saturday's mile for the mares.
A Group 1 win in Australia would see her value skyrocket when she heads to the Magic Millions Sale at the Gold Coast next month as Kelso confirmed she will line up for one last time on Saturday.
"This will be her last run, she's been a great mare for us and it would be great for her to become a Group 1 winner across Australia and New Zealand," Ken Kelso said.
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"Four Group 1s in New Zealand and she's certainly shown she's capable of mixing it in the top level here.
"She was fourth in both the sprints down the straight last year and good last start behind Anamoe so she deserves a Group 1 in Australia."
The daughter of Proisir has won 12 of 22 starts throughout her career but Kelso is hoping she can reach a new level on Saturday.
The veteran horseman said the sting out of the track at Randwick will be to Levante's advantage, having won three of her four starts on wet ground.
"To run so well behind Anamoe does add a bit of confidence and a bit of give in the track at Randwick should certainly suit her," Kelso said.
"She's going great, pulled up from the George Ryder and this was the target race when we sent her over and I can't fault her, so I'd expect her to be pretty hard to beat.
"It's obviously a tough task but she's shown she's up to it this preparation."
READ: The Championships day 2 - Full Randwick Preview
A victory would give the stable a second at Group 1 level this autumn after a hit-and-run mission with star filly Legarto in the Australian Guineas.
TAB rate Levante as the $7.50 second elect in betting with $10m mare Alcohol Free holding favouritism at $3.50.
Damian Lane is set to ride the six-year-old with regular Australian rider Michael Dee rubbed out due to suspension.
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Randwick Race 9
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Sydney Queen Of The Turf Stks (1600m)
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| 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.55 | 4.5 | 3.9 | 3.55 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.7 | ||||
| 7.5 | 7.5 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9.2 | 7 | 8.1 | 8 | 7.5 | 8 | ||||
| 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 890 | 14 | 14.2 | 15 | 15 | 14 | ||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5.7 | 17 | 5 | 4.95 | 5.5 | 5 | 5 | ||||
| 61 | 61 | 71 | 61 | 26 | 910 | 61 | 63 | 61 | 61 | 61 | ||||
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6.2 | 12 | 6 | 6.6 | 6.5 | 6 | 6 | ||||
| 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 19.5 | 10 | 9.8 | 11 | 10 | 10 | ||||
| 34 | 31 | 34 | 31 | 20 | 270 | 34 | 35 | 34 | 29 | 31 | ||||
| 26 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 17 | 90 | 21 | 19.6 | 26 | 23 | 26 | ||||
| 21 | 23 | 26 | 23 | 17.5 | 890 | 21 | 23.5 | 23 | 21 | 23 | ||||
| 34 | 35 | 41 | 41 | 34 | 910 | 34 | 29.5 | 41 | 41 | 41 | ||||
| 51 | 41 | 51 | 51 | 24 | 910 | 41 | 45 | 41 | 41 | 51 | ||||
| 26 | 23 | 26 | 31 | 5.9 | 95 | 26 | 22 | 31 | 23 | 31 | ||||
| 251 | 201 | 301 | 201 | 34 | 960 | 151 | 221 | 201 | 151 | 201 | ||||
| 81 | 81 | 101 | 71 | 21 | 920 | 91 | 83 | 71 | 91 | 71 | ||||
| 201 | 126 | 201 | 126 | 42 | 210 | 151 | 151 | 126 | 126 | 126 | ||||
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Market percentage
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117 | 119 | 114 | 117 | 147 | 56 | 119 | 119 | 112 | 120 | 117 | |||
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Quick Bet
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Form Guide
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