South Australia's best coach, Richard Jolly, has capped off the Blue Diamond campaign with his exciting young player Karavas.
The two-time Adelaide Premiership winner was not happy with what she saw in the jump at Morphettville on Tuesday morning and subsequent blood tests showed she was not in peak condition to handle the Group One task across the border.
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Karavas was unbeaten in two starts last year, winning on his debut at Murray Bridge before beating Ineza in the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, earning a $15 chance on the diamond with TAB.
“We're going to bring her back out there,” said Jolie, who trains in partnership with his daughter, Chantelle.
“She had a bit of a virus before we went to the Gold Coast (earlier this month) and she didn't recover from it. Her blood wasn't 100 per cent so we're going to pull the pin.
“We'll probably give her two or three weeks off and then focus on Adelaide.
“We just need to stop and reset. There's nothing wrong with it, but it leaves a little bit of food and it's not as good as it could be.”
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With Karavas out of action for the short term, Jolly's attention turns to the Durbridge Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on Saturday, a race he has won on four occasions, including two of the past four editions with Kimalbasa.
Leading the charge for the team's duo will be the talented mare H2O, who has raced sparingly since winning the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes at Flemington in November 2022.
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“It's good. I liked her experience that day, she went out and ran and ran a good time. She did well on Tuesday,” Julie said.
“I don't think it's the best version of the race. I think it's very open. There's no giants or Kemalpasas or Beau Rossas – those kinds of horses that are better weight for age.
“She's doing everything right to say it's going to go well.
“We don't really have a goal for it, we'll just take these races and see what we get.”
Former youth star Shakiro will complement Goles' attack after a strong effort at Murray Bridge earlier this month, his first start for the stable since arriving from Chris Waller's yard.
“He was fine, he raced well and he was off the pace, which is not what suits him. He will be better at this Tour,” he said.
“He's a very capable horse on his day, I don't know if the first hurdle suits him but if he shows his best he can beat most of those but he hasn't won for three years.”
Originally published as Young Gun Karavas from South Australia out of Blue Diamond competition
