Spring appeal for Sass Appeal

Trainer Danny O'Brien will resist the temptation of heading to Sydney with Sass Appeal after her third straight win at Flemington. 

Sass Appeal added the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1600m) to her record on Saturday under a perfectly judged ride by Jordan Childs. 

Childs allowed Sass Appeal to roll forward from her widest draw and track the leader Pillow Fight before putting that filly to sword with 300m to run. 

Taking over 200m from the finish, Sass Appeal, the $2.35 favourite, raced to a 2-¾ length win from Pillow Fight ($14) with Salty Pearl ($2.60) a further 1-¾ lengths away third. 

Last year's Kewney winner Treasurethe Moment headed to Sydney to claim the Vinery Stud Stakes and the Australian Oaks before returning in the spring to win the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield. 

In her first preparation, Sass Appeal has now won her past four starts and O'Brien is keen to give the filly a break to concentrate on the spring. 

"Often with the three-year-old fillies you want to make hay while the sun shines against their own age, and sex, and make the best of what you've got before they turn four," O'Brien said. 

"But I think this horse will measure up to the older horses. With that in mind, she's had a five start prep and I'm keen to give her a break and see her back here in the spring." 

O'Brien said the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington during Melbourne Cup appeals. 

"The handicap races like the Sir Rupert Clarke and the Toorak Handicap are good options for her on the way through as well," he said. 

O'Brien said Sass Appeal's racing pattern made it difficult for the opposition as she is yet to be run down from behind once she strikes the front. 

"She makes it look easy when she's got that tactical speed early and you get that good position in running," O'Brien said. 

"It's a lot easier to watch than horses back in the field. 

"Once they took positions today and I looked wherever everything else was, there hasn't been a horse come from behind her and finish in front of her. 

"The only horse she ultimately had to get past was the leader, and she did that and put a space on them."