Racing: Chittick undecided on Legs' schedule

Owner-breeder Garry Chittick isn't quite sure what to do with Legs after her victory in New Zealand's richest race on Saturday.

Starting at about 12-1, Legs and jockey Lisa Cropp found the inside rail to win the $1 million Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) at Hastings against many of the country's best horses.

Legs, who won the New Zealand Oaks last season, wasn't nominated for any Australian feature races this spring and Chittick, who runs Waikato Stud near Matamata, has yet to decide what her next target will be.

"I had a look at the racing schedule for the rest of spring and there wasn't a lot there for her," Chittick said. "We would have to pay a huge late entry fee to get into something like the Caulfield Cup so I'm not sure where she will go."

Most of the rich middle distance racing in New Zealand in the next few months is under handicap conditions, and Legs will rise in the weights after winning the Kelt at weight-for-age.

After her Oaks and Kelt victories the best way to increase Legs' broodmare value would be an Australia win, where her trainer Kevin Gray has yet to start a horse.

Her best options in Australia in spring without paying prohibitive late entry fees would be the group one Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) on November 4 and the group two Sandown Classic (2400m) on November 18.

"I haven't spoken to Kevin and I won't make any decisions until I've discussed it with him," Chittick said. "We weren't thinking about Australia this spring, the Kelt was the target and we're delighted she achieved it."

Australian campaigns could well be on the cards for Kelt placegetters, Kerry O'Reilly and Seachange.

Kerry O'Reilly was outstanding charging home late into second.

He is nominated for the A$2.5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 21 and A$5 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 7.

Seachange fell short in her attempt to win the Hastings weight-for-age triple crown on Saturday and is now likely to revert back to 1600m or less.

Rracing manager Rick Williams said he would look at the group one Myer Classic, for fillies and mares under weight-for-age conditions at Flemington on November 4.

- NZPA