Birthday plans send Just Kick to Flemington

The birthday of the wife of the jockey associated with Just Kick has altered the plans of the filly's trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne. 

Just Kick is down to run in the Listed Exford Plate (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday a day earlier than a Kilmore maiden the trainers had considered taking the filly to. 

"We had thoughts about putting her in at Kilmore on Sunday and trying to get a win with her," Emma-Lee Browne said. 

"But she gets on really well with Damian Lane and he can't ride her on Sunday because it's his wife's birthday, so he better not miss that, and I totally agree with that. 

"It's come up a small field on Saturday and I thought her first run was super, so we'll head to Flemington instead." 

Just Kick already has a Stakes placing to her credit when a closing third in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) at Flemington in April. 

Browne reasoned another Stakes placing, or victory, if she happened to collect that on Saturday, would not go astray. 

Just Kick holds a nomination for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 18, although the Browne's may look at stretching the filly out in trip. 

Browne said Saturday's outing was likely to determine the path they take. 

Options for the filly may include the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Sandown on September 27, the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on October 4. 

Alongside the Thousand Guineas on October 18 is the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) which is a potential lead-up to the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on November 6. 

"I think we'll make a decision after Saturday," Browne said. 

"We are thinking of the Manifold and that's why we were thinking of getting a win with her, but being a filly if you can get some Black Type along the way it doesn't hurt. 

"I think being a Staphanos, she will probably stretch out. It was good to see her jump and go forward the other day whereas in her first campaign she was getting right back. 

"Hopefully Damian can put her where he wants on Saturday and then we'll see if she can run out a bit of a trip and hopefully, she runs up to expectations."